Pakistani hockey team to take part in three events in 2011

Pakistan players celebrate their Gold-medal victory in the men's field hockey final at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou. File photo

Pakistani hockey team will participate in three major international men's hockey events this year which might provide the team good training opportunities for the 2012 London Olympics, official sources said on Saturday.

Pakistani hockey team has already qualified for the London Games by winning the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China last year.

In first major challenge the team will go to Malaysia for the 20th Azlan Shah Cup Hockey International scheduled on May 5 to 15.

“Tough competitions against Australia, Britain, India, South Korea, host Malaysia and New Zealand in the championship would provide the team an opportunity to try out new players and find a new combination,” a hockey official said here on Saturday.

The second challenge for the national team will be at Amsterdam, Netherlands, when they will play against England, Germany and host Netherlands in four nation men's invitational from June 28 to July 2.

However, the biggest and the third challenge of the year would come in Dec. 3 to 11 in New Delhi, India, where the men’s Champions Trophy would be played.