Negre said the FIH would try to convince other countries to play matches in Pakistan and also try to make sure that the Pakistan team play maximum tournaments abroad. 

 

Negre, along with European Hockey Federation (EHF) secretary general David Balbirnie, is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of the PHF to assess the security situation in the country that is keen to host international hockey again.

 

Negre, whose tour of the country has been accorded the highest-level of security, said: "Pakistan is a very important country in the world hockey and the FIH is giving its full support to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

 

"We are also trying to hold international events in Pakistan."

 

The FIH has twice moved the elite six-nation Champions Trophy out of Pakistan in the last four years due to security concerns.

 

The country has been hit hard by security concerns in recent years, especially after militants attacked the Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore in March.

 

Six Pakistani policemen and a van driver were killed and six Sri Lanka players were wounded.

 

Nearly 2,000 people in Pakistan have been killed since security forces launched a military operation against Taliban militants in April.

 

Hockey is the national sport in Pakistan

 

The country has won the Olympic title three times and the World Cup four times.

 

Negre said: "My visit to Pakistan is a clear message to the world hockey family that Pakistan is a safe place for sports.

 

"It can’t be done overnight and it may need a considerable time but the FIH is supporting the Pakistan Hockey Federation in this great job."

 

Negre and Balbirnie will leave for India tomorrow to examine arrangements for next year’s World Cup in New Delhi.

 

 

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