APP
China’s Guangdong men’s hockey team is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Sunday for a 13-day tour during which it will play seven matches against Pakistani departmental and junior teams at different venues across the country.
According to a Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) spokesperson, the tour will provide valuable international exposure to domestic and departmental players, enabling them to gain experience by competing against foreign players and boosting their confidence. The spokesperson said the visit would also help strengthen sporting relations between Pakistan and China while providing hockey enthusiasts an opportunity to watch competitive matches. According to the schedule, Guangdong will open its campaign against MPCL at the MPCL Hockey Stadium, Rawalpindi, on October 20 at 6:30 pm.
The visiting side will face Pakistan Army on October 21 at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium, Islamabad, at 3:30 pm, followed by a rest day on October 22. The third match will be played against Pakistan Navy at the same venue on October 23 at 3:30 pm.
After travelling to Lahore, the Chinese team will take on Pakistan Customs at the DHA Hockey Stadium on October 25 at 6:30 pm. The visitors will then face Pakistan Rangers at the Sports Complex, Narowal, on October 26 at 3:30 pm.
Following another rest day on October 27, Guangdong will play the Pakistan Under-18 team at the National Hockey Stadium, Gojra, on October 28 at 6:30 pm. The final match of the tour will be played against Pakistan Police at the DHA Hockey Stadium, Lahore, on October 29 at 6:30 pm, before the visiting team departs for China on October 30.
The PHF spokesperson expressed the hope that the tour would contribute to the development of domestic hockey by providing local players with opportunities to compete against international opposition and further strengthening hockey ties between Pakistan and China.