KARACHI: President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar and the chief of the Karachi Hockey Assocition (KHA) Dr Junaid Ali Shah have mend fences and vowed to work together for the betterment of the game.

Accompanied by the PHF secretary and former Olympian Shahbaz Ahmed, the PHF chief drove to the KHA Sports Complex in Gulshan Iqbal on Friday noon and was welcomed by the KHA officials besides former Olympian Hanif Khan.

“I’m delighted to see that the KHA had started implementing the PHF’s vision and it will go a long way in the revival of the game at the grassroots level,” Khokhar told waiting journalists after his first visit to the complex.

He hoped that the city, which is the commercial hub of the country and had produced a galaxy of Olympians and internationals of the game in the yesteryears, will be back on the track soon.

The retired Brigadier said that the Karachi players, who will have an educated background, will contribute positively once they get selected for the national camp or the Pakistan team in the future.

“Junaid is like my brother and playing a positive role for the uplift of the game in the metropolis which is evident after witnessing the facilities at the complex,” he added.

Without identifying anyone, the PHF chief blamed some media houses for creating negativity and tarnishing good work. “There may be some weaknesses and the PHF will always welcome healthy criticism,” he remarked.

He assured his full blessings to the incumbent KHA officials and hoped this will serve as stepping stone for the uplift of the game.

Answering questions, he attributed lack of international hockey at home as a major factor of decline in the last 15 years.

“We’ve revived international hockey in the country to some extent and look forward for the launch of Pakistan Hockey League some time this year,” he maintained.

Continuing, he said, the government had already given an NOC for the PHL and the PHF was in touch with foreign players and the marketing firms.

As regards India, it is up to the government to allow or not, he said.

Asked whether the PHF is inviting a foreign coach for the national team he said it has not yet finalised any name and it is in contact with some of them.

Responding to another query he negated the notion that the base of players has shrunked. “We’ve the seniors, juniors, development squad and the under-16,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, the KHA president expressed his gratitude to the PHF top brass for finding time to personally see the facilities for the first time. He urged upon the PHF hierarchy to accept KHA as one of its pillars as the city used to provide four to five players to the Pakistan teams in the past.

In his brief speech he threw light on removing encouragements from a number of hockey fields in the city with the help of Rangers, created infrastructure besides helping the players to get employmen in KDA.

“We simply want that the PHF should acknowledge our work,” he said.

He went on to say that the PHF should involve it with the KHA and select local player (s) for camp or the national team purely on merit. “We’ve to work together in building the Pakistan team strong in the days to come,” he added.

The chairman of the KHA Gulfraz Khan and secretary Syed Haider Hussain also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, the PHF officials went around the facilities and expressed satisfaction. The PHF chief also cut the ribbon to formally inaugurate the refurbished KHA offices.

Besides the big synthetic turf, a mini astro turf has also been laid adjacent to it while construction of a gymnasium and a mosque is in progress.

The KHA has planned to create a separate playing facility for the girls at the premises.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2018