India grants visas to Pakistan junior hockey team for world cup

LAHORE: Pakistan junior hockey squad is set to fly to India for the mega event of the world cup after the Indian High Commission has issued visas to the national team and officials.

The government of Pakistan has also issued NOC to the national hockey team to participate in the tournament which will be held in Bhubaneswar from November 24 to December 5, said Secretary-General Pakistan Hockey Federation Olympian Asif Bajwa in a video posted on Pakistan Hockey Federation’s official Facebook Page on Monday.

He further said that the National Junior Hockey Squad is scheduled to leave for India on November 20 and the tournament will be starting from November 24 in Bhubaneswar, India.

Bajwa went on to say that more than half of the national team’s visas have been received by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) through the courier service.

“16 teams are participating in the event out of which four teams are in Pakistan’s pool which includes Germany, Argentina, Pakistan and Egypt,” Bajwa stated.

He further said that two teams from the pool would qualify and if Pakistan beats Germany then Pakistan would be the favourite to qualify for the quarterfinals.

Olympian Asif Bajwa said that our players are talented and due to the situation of the covid, the National junior hockey team did not have the experience of matches at the international level but they have the ability to surprise any team in the event.

He said that Pakistan Junior Hockey Team will reach India and play two practice matches.

While announcing the schedule of the match, he said that the first practice match will be played against Chile on November 21 and the second against Canada on November 22 adding that the coverage of the practice matches will not be allowed

The Pakistan junior hockey team will play its first match against Germany on November 24 and Pakistan will face Egypt on November 27.

The national junior hockey squad will play its last match of the pool round against Argentina on November 28.

Secretary-General Pakistan Hockey Federation Olympian Asif Bajwa said that the Nation is requested to pray for the national junior hockey team.