MOHSIN ALI
ISLAMABAD: China’s Guangdong men’s hockey team arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a 13-day tour featuring matches against top departmental teams and a Pakistan under-18 side.
Officials of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) received the visiting squad on arrival and welcomed the players with traditional flower garlands and bouquets.
During the tour, Guangdong will play matches against MPCL, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Customs, Pakistan Rangers and Pakistan Police. The Chinese side will also face a Pakistan under-18 team in Gojra.
Guangdong will start its playing schedule on Tuesday against MPCL at the MPCL Hockey Stadium in Rawalpindi. The team will then take on Pakistan Army on Wednesday at the GHQ Stadium, Rawalpindi.
After a rest day, the visitors will meet Pakistan Navy at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad on October 23.
The squad will later travel to Lahore, where it will play Pakistan Customs at the DHA Hockey Stadium on October 25. A day later, Guangdong will face Pakistan Rangers at the Sports Complex in Narowal on October 26.
Following another rest day on October 27, the Chinese team will play Pakistan’s under-18 side at the National Hockey Stadium in Gojra on October 28.
Guangdong will conclude its match commitments against Pakistan Police at the DHA Hockey Stadium in Lahore on October 29. The team is scheduled to leave Pakistan on October 30.
The tour is expected to provide Pakistan’s leading departmental sides with a useful chance to test their match preparedness against international opposition. It will also enable coaches to review tactical discipline, defensive organisation and attacking efficiency.
The fixture against the under-18 team in Gojra is also significant for young players, who will get exposure to a different style of hockey. The match will help identify promising talent and highlight areas needing improvement ahead of future competitions.
The series of matches is also aimed at strengthening hockey ties between Pakistan and China, while supporting efforts to revive the national game through regular international competitions.
