ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar and Secretary Olympian Shahbaz Senior congratulated Prime Minister Imran Khan and hoped he will give top priority to sports and take them to new levels.
Talking to The Nation, Khokhar and Shahbaz said: “We are quite hopeful that Imran will pay special attention towards the declining standard of Pakistan sports, as former captain and a world cup winner is a fighter and doesn’t believe in losing rather just knows how to win. We are sure he will be a successful PM and take country out of all kinds of crisis.”
Khokhar said sporting community had pinned great hopes on Imran, through his sheer dedication, commitment and hard work. “He will surely deliver and not to disappoint the nation and especially sports community.”
Shahbaz Senior said he had won Hockey World Cup in 1994, like Imran won Cricket World Cup for Pakistan in 1992. “I am very excited and hoping that he will put the nation on right track. His vision, desire and hunger to excel will definitely help the country. He knows the inside outs and he is the best in the present circumstances to overhaul the system and bring revolutionary changes in the lives of athletes, I have full faith in his abilities and he can lead the nation through thick and thin.”
Meanwhile, PHF Director Media Raja Mohsin Ijaz told The Nation that Pakistan hockey team is practising well in Jakarta for Asian Games. “The green shirts won both practice matches and will enter the first match against Thailand in the Asian Games hockey opener with great confidence. It makes no sense whether green shirts are playing against tough or weak opponent, the thing is that they will not take any match light and will give out their 100 percent.”
Mohsin said the aim behind sending players early to Jakarta was to give them ample time to settle down and train accordingly. “The way they beat Japan 2-0 and Oman 5-2 shows that green shirts have learnt a lot. There is always room for improvement, now things are moving in positive direction. The coaches are doing their best and the federation and team management also providing every facility to the players to excel, now it’s players duty to deliver.”