PHF to form committee to draw hockey roadmap

KARACHI: A committee would be formed to decide what format or style would help Pakistan rise again in the world of hockey.

 This was decided at a consultative meeting organised by PHF in Lahore on Tuesday.  

The committee will also recommend a coaching syllabus and suggest a physical fitness model.

Through the committee, which comprises old guards of the national game who played hockey in 1970s and ‘80s, the PHF aims to produce players well versed with the modern hockey right from an early age. The committee members will be named in a couple of days.

PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed told ‘The News’ that PHF was going to establish a goalkeepers academy and an excellence academy next year.

He further said that refresher courses for umpires, referees and technical officials would also be conducted regularly.

The PHF secretary thanked PM Nawaz Sharif for approving Rs200 million for the national game.

Shahbaz said that prospects of Pakistan Hockey League were also discussed at the consultative meeting.

The one-year performance of the present set up of the PHF and its efforts for revival of hockey in the country were also reviewed. The federation’s Vision 2020 Programme was also presented by Shahbaz. 

The participants included Islahuddin, Shahnaz Sheikh, Toqir Dar, Qamar Ibrahim and Malik Shafqat.

The participants were told that PHF held various domestic tournaments such as the national championships for seniors, under 18 and women; introduced 5-A Side and 9-A Side tournaments, ensured participation in events like Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Sultan of Johor Cup, Junior Asia Cup, under-21s tours of Germany, Netherlands and Spain.