ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Olympian Shahbaz Senior lauded green shirts for winning gold at 12th South Asian Games (SAG) by beating Indians in Men’s hockey final. He plans to give National hockey team a red carpet welcome upon their arrival from Guwati, India.
Shahbaz expressed these views during the prize distribution ceremony held at Qadeer Hockey Stadium on Saturday. He said Pakistan hockey team is slowly but gradually climbing back to where it belongs. “Green shirts remained unbeaten in the event and managed to beat archrivals India twice.” He praised the team squad which showed its worth through impressive performances. “I hope government, IPC/PSB would take good care of the gold medalists and we would pass on incentives to the national heroes.”
Shahbaz Senior plans to launch Pakistan Hockey League on the model of Pakistan Super League. Also, he wishes to launch indoor hockey championship in an attempt to make hockey more captivating. He said despite of lack of incentives and job security upon retirement, players are performing to the best of their ability. “Green shirts had lifted the heads of the entire nation and put a new lease of life in national game hockey, in the past, when we were playing, players were provided with jobs and other benefits.”
Regarding the utilisation of funds, Shahbaz said: “From now on, all the funds provided to the PHF would be totally spent on players. We earn Rs5 million from Karachi National championship, and we are soon appointing director marketing, who would work on arranging sponsorships and funds for the federation.”Shahbaz concluded.