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Next Indo-Pak hockey series confirmed

The next annual hockey series between India and Pakistan will be held in February-March 1999.

The hockey federations of the two countries decided on the annual home-and-away series after the first in the series was held successfully in February this year.

On that occasion, Pakistan had won the eight-match series held first in India and later in Pakistan.

Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Mudassar Asghar said both federations are working out the details of the next rubber. ''Both federations have agreed to continue the successful exchange. It was an organisational and financial success,'' Asghar told reporters.

He said Pakistan will make a fresh bid for staging the 2002 Junior World Cup. The second bid has become necessary after the revision of format by the International Hockey Federation.

Current runners-up Spain, and South Africa, are the other nations bidding for the World Cup.

According to the revised format, the IHF wants to increase the number of teams in the senior and junior versions of the World Cup from 12 to 16.

Asghar said that no schedule has as yet been released by the Asian Hockey Association for the senior division of the Asia Cup slated for next year. The AHA had earlier separated the Asia Cup into senior and first divisions.

Pakistan hockey team manager Zakauddin said the team will try something different in the coming tournaments, beginning with the Commonwealth Games in September.

''It is time to try something different. I assure the fans of our team a new and effective winning strategy for the Commonwealth Games,'' he said.

Zakakuddin, who had coached the national team which won the 1982 World Cup and 1984 Olympics, said he will try new playing patterns to produce results. The team will now play the 2-4-4 formation, instead of the traditional 2-3-5.

"The 3-4-3 formation will also be tried out where needed, to strengthen the defence," he said.

The Pakistan senior team is presently undergoing a rigorous training camp for the Commonwealth Games.

''Our players have the ability to adapt to new demands. We have to reduce the number of goals scored against us,'' Zakauddin said.

''What is important is to stop the goals behind and this can be done by strengthening the midfield and deep defence.''

Asghar said the astro turf at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore will be replaced at a cost of about $200,000. The Lahore turf is the world's largest coliseum.