Hyderabad: Despite the government's green signal to resume sporting ties with Pakistan, India may not immediately play a test series with their ach-rivals due to a packed schedule, Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) secretary K Jothikumaran said on October 24.

"I got an invitation from the Netherlands Hockey Federation two days back and have given the confirmation since the best teams are in the fray," Jothikumaran said about the four-nation tournament in June-July 2004.

"We will also be playing in the Australian four-nation tournament in April. So it is very difficult to accommodate a test series between India and Pakistan till the completion of the Olympics next year," he said. The two teams have not met in a test series since 1999.

The tournament in Australia, to be played in the second week of April, will see India, Pakistan, Argentina and the hosts vying for top honours.

The championship in Netherlands, between June 25 and July 5, would see the four best teams in the world – Australia, India, Pakistan, and the home side – in action.

But IHF secretary welcomed the government's decision to allow the arch rivals to tour each other, saying such a move would augur well for the development of the game.

"This will not only help in marketing the game better, it will also give exposure to the players and give the spectators something more to cheer about."

Jothikumaran said though it would be difficult to play a test series against Pakistan soon, the top bosses of the IHF would be meeting with International Hockey Federation (FIH) officials in Hyderabad on the sidelines of the Afro-Asian Games to discuss the issue.

"The FIH president is here and K P S Gill (IHF president) is expected next week. So we could meet here to discuss the matter," he said.

"But people should not complain of missing the treat (an India-Pakistan contest) since both the teams are playing against each other regularly at multinational tournaments," Jothikumaran said.

"We have played six matches against Pakistan in the last few months and would be playing again here in the Afro-Asian Games. Moreover, two tournaments are also coming up. So though not much is happening on the bilateral front, we are meeting them regularly," he said.

Commenting on India's performance in the recent past, Jothikumaran lauded the efforts of coach Rajinder Singh, saying the former penalty corner specialist is putting in his best effort.

"He is doing a good job and I hope to see the team under him in the Olympics," he said.

He also said that a foreign expert could be hired to assist Rajinder.

PTI