The national game of Pakistan once remained the identity of the country in the world, our country has enormous talent for the game of hockey, which require government's cooperation, said Secretary Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Tuesday
Islamabad (Pakistan Point News / Online - 23rd April, 2019) The national game of Pakistan once remained the identity of the country in the world, our country has enormous talent for the game of hockey, which require government's cooperation, said Secretary Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Tuesday.Federation sought government's cooperation to revive national game at the grassroots level. One of the prime causes of hockey's downfall has been the lack of hockey competitions at the grassroots level, Secretary PHF Shahbaz Ahmed said while briefing the sub-committee of the standing committee of Senate on Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC).
The Committee, which met under the chairmanship of Senator Walid Iqbal was attended by Senator Lt. Gen. (R) Salahuddin Tirmizi, Secretary Ministry of IPC and other senior officials.Highlighting the revival measures of national game, he said youngsters were now attracted towards cricket instead of hockey, so children in schools and colleges should be motivated to play the national game and be provided with coaching facilities."Players should be incentivized and provided with job security", he said adding that the government should engage departments and banks, having hockey outfits in order to give them a sense of protection.
The PHF has proposed to have at least 200 synthetic playfields as currently the federation has only 24 astro turfs in the country out of which 10 were in a deplorable condition, he added.He said there was a dire need to generate public interest in the game, give exposure to youngsters to play with foreign players and popularize the game of hockey.In this regard, he said that PHF was planning to organize Pakistan Hockey Super League in collaboration with marketing partners.
This event would be a regular annual feature and be a soothing factor to bring back international hockey to Pakistan, he added."Uncertainty breeds a feeling of insecurity which leads ultimately to disappointing results in any sphere of society. Hockey is no exception", former hockey player Manzoor Junior, who also attended the meeting on the special permission of the committee said.Senator Lt. Gen. (R) Salahuddin Tirmizi said that the schools were the nurseries of the game of hockey, and the talent of the players polished through the cooperation of the concerned departments.
Former Olympian, Khwaja Junaid said that the only solution to restore the glory of hockey was to bring structural reforms from upper level to the grassroots level.Khalid Bashir another Olympian said that desired results could never be achieved without starting a talent hunting programme. He held PHF management responsible for lack of interest of youngsters in the national game.
