ISLAMABAD: 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.
The tour, organised under the arrangements of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), is aimed at providing valuable international exposure to domestic and departmental players while strengthening sporting ties between Pakistan and China.
According to a PHF spokesperson, the visit will allow Pakistani players to gain experience by competing against foreign opposition and help boost their confidence and morale.
The spokesperson expressed the hope that the tour would contribute to the development of domestic hockey and provide fans with an opportunity to watch competitive matches.
According to the schedule, Guangdong will begin its campaign against MPCL at the MPCL Hockey Stadium, Rawalpindi, on October 20 at 6:30 pm.
The Chinese side will face Pakistan Army on October 21 at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium, Islamabad, at 3:30 pm. After a rest day on October 22, the visitors will take on Pakistan Navy at the same venue on October 23 at 3:30 pm.
The team will travel to Lahore on October 24 before facing Pakistan Customs at the DHA Hockey Stadium on October 25 at 6:30 pm.
Guangdong will then play Pakistan Rangers at the Sports Complex, Narowal, on October 26 at 3:30 pm, followed by a rest day on October 27.
The visitors will meet the Pakistan Under-18 team at the National Hockey Stadium, Gojra, on October 28 at 6:30 pm, before concluding their tour against Pakistan Police at the DHA Hockey Stadium, Lahore, on October 29 at 6:30 pm.
The Chinese team is scheduled to depart Pakistan on October 30.
The tour is expected to provide an important opportunity for Pakistani departmental and emerging players to test their skills against international opposition while promoting closer sporting cooperation between the two countries.
