Ist COAS hockey tourney from Jan 21

KARACHI: The preparation for first Chief of Army Staff (COAS) hockey tournament, which is scheduled to be held in Rawalpindi at Pakistan Army Stadium, from January 21-31, is in full swing.
The vetting process of the participating teams and officials of the tournament will start in a couple of days, ‘The News’ learnt on Wednesday.
A total of 10 teams will participate in the tournament. All top departmental hockey teams of the country will be part of this tournament, including PIA, NBP, WAPDA, Army, Pakistan Air Force, Navy, Pakistan Police, Sui Southern Gas Company.
Army has a glorious history in the national hockey affairs as far as producing international-level stars are concerned.
When Pakistan hockey team won its first gold medal in Rome in 1960s, Brig Hamidi was the captain of the national team. The other players from the military were Brig Atif, Col Zafri and Sobaidar Bashir.
In later years, Brig Atif, Brig Hamidi, Col Zafri and Col Mudassir remained associated with Pakistan hockey in different roles from coach to selector and manager. Current captain Mohammad Imran and Mohammad Rizwan are also from Army.
Sources in the hockey circles said that Pakistan Army Sports Directorate had decided that it would make efforts to promote the national game — which has been hurt by lack of national and international-level competitions. It will be the first time that a national-level hockey tournament will be organised in the name of COAS.
The tournament director, Lt Col (rtd) Nadeem Ahmed, confirmed that the preparations for the tournament were going on and claimed that it would be held in a spectacular manner.
He said that ten teams would be divided in two pools. Top two teams from each pool will play the semi-finals.
The two top teams will play against the second teams of the other group.
He said that PHF was helping them organise the tournament. “We have asked them to send the details of the participating teams and technical officials, including umpires. Col Nadeem said the prize money was yet to be finalised, but he confirmed that big cash awards would be given to the top three teams of the tournament.