Pak-India series will revive hockey in both countries: Akhtar Rasool

Akhtar Rasool, the head coach and manager of the Pakistan Hockey team, has called on the national federations of both India and Pakistan to work together in organising bilateral series to revive hockey in both the countries.

Rasool, who was witness to the golden era of hockey in India and Pakistan, is heartbroken to see the current sorry state of the game in the two countries.

He said that frequent bilateral series between the neighbours can help bring back the past glory.

The Olympian said that India and Pakistan have taught hockey to the world but they are now struggling to regain their past glory, the Nation reports.

He said that the two countries should play more against each other, adding that as they are not playing with each other the European teams were beating them.

He added that if the teams cannot play in their respective countries, they can play a bilateral series at a neutral venue just like cricket.

Rasool is the former centre-half, who was a member of Pakistan's gold medal-winning team in 1978 and 1982 World Cups.

India and Pakistan were scheduled to play a home-and-away bilateral hockey series this year but it was called off after the Indian government refused permission on security grounds.

Rasool, on his part, has invited the Indian hockey team to visit Pakistan, assuring that the government will provide full security to the team.