International hockey could return to Pakistani soil after a long gap, with the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) inviting South Korea for a four-match series.
PHF President Mueenuddin Wani has confirmed the development on a local sports programme, saying that discussions between both sides are still in the early stages. He added that the federation hopes to host the series in the last week of July. A decision on venues is yet to be made, with options being considered to hold the matches in a single city or across multiple cities.
The proposed series forms part of broader efforts to revive international hockey in Pakistan. It also serves a practical purpose, giving the national team competitive preparation ahead of the Hockey World Cup, scheduled from August 15 to 30 in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Pakistan currently sits 12th in the international hockey rankings. South Korea, ranked 20th, has not qualified for the upcoming World Cup, but officials consider the series valuable for competitive exposure and team development regardless.
Wani expressed optimism about the series, saying that if finalised, it would mark the beginning of a new phase for international hockey in Pakistan, bringing high-level competition back to local grounds after years of absence.
Negotiations between the two hockey boards are going on, with both sides working to finalise the tour schedule and logistics.
