National hockey team leaves for Pakistan

KABUL (SW) – For the very first time, the national hockey team from Afghanistan has left for Pakistan to play in the Open Series matches there.

The 18-member national team with two coaches, a manager and a referee left for Pakistan on Wednesday. Hafeezullah Wali Rahimi, chairman of the National Olympic Committee, encouraged the players to showcase quality performance in the forthcoming Asian Hockey Championship as well.

Matches for the Asian Hockey Championship would commence in Pakistan later this month. A minimum of 15 teams will qualify for one of three separate Hockey Series finals. Each of the series finals will have eight teams playing in them and will take place throughout the world, with berths into the Olympic Qualification events up for grabs. The teams include Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Nepal along with a team from Pakistan.

The 2018–19 Men's Hockey Series Open will be held from June to December 2018.

ENDS