ISLAMABAD - An impressive opening ceremony of 3rd Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) All Pakistan Hockey Tournament 2021 was held at Abdul Sattar Edhi International Hockey Stadium Karachi. 
According to a Pak Navy press release received here Tuesday, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail graced the occasion as chief guest. Upon arrival, the chief guest was received by Commander Karachi, Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami. The opening ceremony was attended by officers from tri-services, PHF, SHA officials, ex-Olympians/professional players and members of managing committee of the event along with a large number of spectators. 
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest appreciated Pakistan Navy’s role in promoting sports and healthy activities in the country. He commended the efforts made by Pakistan Navy in revival of national sport. He also lauded the efforts put in by all stake holders to make the event successful.
The first edition of the event was introduced back in 2016 while the second one was held at Lahore in 2018. Ever since, it has become a regular and major event on national hockey circuit. Biennial conduct of the tournament is also a manifestation of PN’s commitment towards promotion of national sport, says the press release. 
Top eight teams of the country including Armed Forces teams are participating in the event. The eight sides are divided into two pools and the tournament commenced with pool matches followed by semifinals and final. Qualified technical officials of PHF and SHA are conducting the matches. The prize money of the tournament is Rs 4.2 million. 
Pakistan Navy has always actively pursued the cause of nurturing various sports at national/international level. Apart from hockey, Pakistan Navy has also been regularly organizing sporting events including CNS Open Golf, CNS International Squash, CNS Shooting and National Sailing Championships. Pakistan Navy hosted International CISM Sailing Championship a couple of years back in which military teams from 12 different countries participated. 
In 2018, CNS Open Asian Tour Golf was also hosted by Pakistan Navy with prize money of USD 300,000. This initiative of PN not only contributes in generating healthy activities in the society but also helps in projecting a sporting image of Pakistan across the globe. Names like gold medalists Munir Sadiq, Mamoon Sadiq, Zaka Ullah, Nadia Raees, Fakhar Zaman and newest Olympian shooter GM Bashir are just to name the few.