By K. Hussain, IANS,
Karachi : Pakistan’s hockey chief Thursday promised to host an international tournament next summer in the memory of former premier Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated last year.
Asif Bajwa, the new secretary general of the Pakistan Hockey federation (PHF) told a press conference here that he will soon start making arrangements for a six-nation Benazir Bhutto Hockey Tournament, involving some of the top teams of the world.
He gave that assurance to Sports Minister Najmuddin Khan, who belongs to the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) – that was headed by the late Benazir.
“We will host a major six-nation tournament in the mid of 2009 as a tribute for Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto,” said Bajwa, a former Pakistan player and national coach.
Pakistan have not hosted any major international hockey competition since the 2004 Champions Trophy in Lahore as most of the major teams including Olympic champions Australia have refused to come here citing security reasons.
A PHF effort to host an Olympic warm-up tournament in July fell apart because of lack of interest shown by foreign teams.