LAHORE, Nov 1: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated the newly-built hockey stadium at the Johar Town here on Thursday.

An exhibition match was played between Pakistan Greens and Whites after inauguration of the stadium, which the former won.

Prominent Olympians and internationals who attended the opening ceremony were: Akhtar Rasool, Khawaja Zakauddin, Khalid Mahmood, Dr Tariq Aziz, Asad Malik, Manzoor Senior, Afzal Manna, Col Zafri, Tauqir Dar, Khalid Bashir, Malik Shafaqat, Mohammad Usman, Mohammad Ikhlaq and Qasim Khan.

The stadium has the seating capacity of 1,500 and it has a green synthetic turf.

Meanwhile, the chief minister also announced the revival of Punjab Police’s hockey team.

Speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz expressed hope that it would help in reviving the game of hockey in Pakistan.

Olympian Akhtar Rasool, who is appointed chairman of the stadium’s managing committee, said the occasion was important for Lahoreites in particular and for the entire hockey community in general.

Meanwhile, a training camp of national team players for the Champions Trophy will start at the stadium from Friday.

The Champions Trophy will be played in Melbourne from Dec 22.