ISLAMABAD: A top Dutch hockey club will arrive in Pakistan on Sunday to play a three-match friendly series with the Prime Minister’s Youth Talent Hunt team.
Organizer of the event, Olympian Khawaja Muhammad Junaid on Friday said that the Dutch club Billy Ozendaal is the first international hockey club to visit Pakistan after 22 years to play hockey matches.
Orange and Black was the last European club that came to Pakistan in 2001.
He went on to say that the series will start with the first two matches at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore on February 19 and 21, while the third match is scheduled to be played at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium Islamabad on February 23.
Khawaja Junaid Hockey Academy had collaborated with Billy Ozendaal to promote the national sport of hockey in Pakistan.
He said that the aim of the event is to enhance the capabilities of Pakistan players.
According to Khawaja, Chairman Higher Education Commission Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Inspector General Punjab Police Dr. Usman Anwar, the Netherlands Embassy in Islamabad, Director General Pakistan Sports Board Shoaib Khoso, and Punjab Sports Board officials have all played significant roles to hold the series in an appropriate manner.
He went on to say the first match between the two teams would be dedicated to honour the martyrs of Punjab Police.
He said the arrival of a top European hockey club in Pakistan after over two decades is a fresh breath of air for Pakistan hockey.
