Hockey officials hope to lift standards with more exchanges, but will the political climate stand in good stead?

Pakistan and India have decided to play more between themselves to emerge from their falling standards in world hockey. A Memorandum of Understanding is expected to be signed in Lahore.

A press release on Thursday says Hockey India and the Pakistan Hockey Federation have agreed to play an annual bilateral Test series for both men and women. The series will be played by the senior and junior national squads on a home-and-away basis.

In addition to the Test series, the two former world champions, have agreed to exchange players for their domestic hockey leagues. An eight-team sub-continental league has also been mooted. Four teams each from India and Pakistan will participate.

Umpires and technical personnel will also be exchanged under the agreed programme.

Plans can only be effective if the political climate between India and Pakistan are favourable. Given the game's popularity in the two nations, hockey could hit a roadblock that cricket as plunged into.