KARACHI: Sports in the country suffered another blow on Wednesday when the Pakistan Steel Mills decided to close down their hockey and rugby teams.

All regular players of the teams were being transferred to different departments to work instead of play and services of the contracted players were being terminated.

The CBA of the Pakistan Steel Mills was making an effort to save the sports department.

Secretary of the PHF Olympian Shahbaz Ahmed has expressed his dismay over the decision of closing down the teams.

“Departments have been the backbone of national hockey and the decision will seriously harm the game,” he said.

Shahbaz, who led Pakistan to triumph in the 1994 World Cup in Sydney, said 11 players were part of PIA team which won the global event.

“While we are trying hard to create jobs for talented players, closing down of Pakistan Steel hockey team was very disappointing,” the legendary forward said.

He said sports cannot be promoted and survived without the support of major government institutions and corporate sector.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2016