‘Middle East can become hub of hockey in future’

KARACHI: King Khan Club won the 1st Skyline field hockey tournament by defeating UEHC on penalty shootout in the final held at Skyline University, Sharjah.

Former Olympian Sameer Hussain was the tournament director of the event.

In the final, the scores were level at 1-1 in stipulated time. It was then decided on penalty shootouts, which King Khan Club won by 5-3.

Former Olympian Qamar Ibrahim was the chief guest of the summit clash. He hoped that the tournament would help promote hockey in the Middle East. Qamar also assured organisers of his cooperation for the future. The tournament was sponsored by GM sports academy and Skyline University. On his return from UAE, Sameer informed that hundreds of hockey lovers reside in the Middle East.

“We are looking to promote hockey and the Middle East can become a centre of attraction for sport lovers in the future,” he said. Seven teams participated in the event, mostly comprising players from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

“The next tournament is expected to be played in November, in which hockey clubs from Pakistan and other countries are expected to participate,” he informed.

Sameer added that after the success of this tournament, GM sports academy and Skyline University have jointly established a hockey academy in Sharjah to promote the sport and to train talented players and coaches.

As per details, Azhar Moin and Imtiaz Ali have been appointed assistant coaches at the academy, while Jahanzeb Akhtar and Abdul Rehman have been named members of events’ organising committee.