LAHORE, Feb 17: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Tariq Kirmani said on Thursday he would unveil his plans for the uplift of the game in Karachi on Feb 28.

Mr Kirmani vowed the plan would emphasise on transparency, discipline and the promotion of the game.

"It does not matter if my decisions will make any one happy or sad," he told reporters after a meeting with former Olympians. The president said discipline would be maintained even if a star player was involved.

"Even a star player will face punishment if he will not follow the programme or instructions of the team management," he said. He said that there would be no politics in hockey during his tenure. Asked if he considered there was politics in hockey before he took over he said "I am not saying that but my stand is only for my tenure."

Mr Kirmani said any change in the PHF set up could be made due to the poor performance of the teams from now onward. He believed that the promotion of the game at school and college levels was very important and added that Olympians had opposed hiring foreign coaches for any team.

He said that former skipper Waseem Ahmad, who had announced his retirement along with Sohail Abbas soon after the Champions Trophy in Lahore last year, had expressed his willingness to withdraw the decision. He, however, said he had not talked with Sohail on the topic.

He assured PHF would extend support to ailing goalkeeper Mohammad Qasim. The goalie has been suffering from cancer and could not travel to the United States for the treatment since the embassy had not issued him visa.

Meanwhile, the PHF Council meeting will be held in Lahore on Friday. PHF secretary Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan would not attend the meeting as he has been hospitalized for the past couple of days.

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...