Pakistan’s coach expressed desire to play match with India, said- bilateral hockey between the two countries should resume
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The time has come to restore bilateral hockey between the two Asian giants. Rehan, who has played 274 international matches for Pakistan, including three Olympics and two World Cups, is the coach of the Pakistan team for the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai.
New Delhi. Former Pakistan hockey star forward and current coach Rehan Butt, who was very popular in India during his playing days, says he has enjoyed playing in India the most in the world where he has always been loved like home and now the time has come. It has been suggested that bilateral hockey be restored between the two Asian giants. Rehan, who has played 274 international matches for Pakistan, including three Olympics and two World Cups, is the coach of the Pakistan team for the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai.
The much talked about match of the tournament between India and Pakistan is to be held on August 9. Rehan said in an interview, “I have heard that all the tickets for the India-Pakistan match have been sold out. There is a huge craze for this match and I think bilateral hockey should be started again to capitalize on this popularity of India Pakistan hockey. Sponsors, broadcasters and players will all benefit from it.” It used to come into play in India, nowhere else. It seemed as if we were playing in Pakistan itself. Here we always got a lot of love and also became good friends.
Pakistan has sent a young team to the ACT with most of the players coming from the Junior Asia Cup squad with the aim of finding the right combination for the Asian Games. Rehan said, “After not being able to qualify for the last two Olympics, we have made a long-term strategy this time. Captain Umar Bhutta and Rana Wahid are the only experienced players in the team and almost 70 percent of the players will be facing India for the first time at the senior level.
The star forward, who last played in the 2007 Asia Cup in Chennai, said about the pressure of a match against India, “Since our team is young and India is the number four team in the world, there will be pressure on the players.” But there will be pressure on India to play at home. If our team plays well against India, then its confidence will increase. ”He said that through ACT, the Pakistani team has set out to strengthen its preparations for the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China from next month. “Our young players have a lot of potential and playing in the ACT will give them good experience. We want to qualify for the Olympics only through the Asian Games. That’s why Pakistanis are working on making the hockey infrastructure as strong as in India. This tournament will become a medium for junior players to play at the senior level.
Praising the Indian team led by Harmanpreet Singh, he said that India has the potential to win a medal at the Paris Olympics. Rehan, who was a member of the 2010 Asian Games gold medal-winning team, said, “India is fourth in the world rankings and if it continues to play like this, it will be a strong contender for a medal in the Paris Olympics.” In ACT, India should not face any problem in reaching the finals and we will also make India proud for the hockey lovers by making a place in the title match on 12th August. Pakistan would like to give the gift of the final.
Disclaimer:IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.
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