Zahir Shah takes over as new KP hockey chief

ISLAMABAD: Zahir Shah takes over as the new president Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP) Provincial Hockey Association for the next term of four years following the elections held in Peshawar Friday.

The elections that were monitored by Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and KP Sports Board and KP Olympic Association representatives saw Zahir Shah getting elected unanimously in elections participated by 13 districts. All provincial districts voted in favour of Zahir Shah as the new president KP hockey. Saeed Khan has retained his position as chairman while Haji Hydatullah was elected as secretary KP hockey body in place of Zahir Shah.

Later talking to The News, Zahir Shah promised to uphold the high tradition of KPK Hockey by retaining its image as the busiest and most effective provincial hockey association. “We served the game of hockey at time when it fell victim to growing interest of youth in cricket. Still we managed to attract good number of hockey players for our junior as well as our senior strings. I believe with bit of extra hard work and government interest we would be in a position to stage renaissance of the game not only in KPK but in entire country.” Zahir Shah who was elected to the post of president KPK Hockey for the very first time thanked all the districts for reposing trust in him. “I am thankful to all district representatives, my chairman Saeed Khan and all other stakeholders for reposing trust in me. I would make all out efforts to enhance the image of game in the province.”

The provincial association elections were conducted following the completion of district hockey association election in whole province.“I also congratulate successful candidates from the entire province. The democratic process in the province is now complete,” Zahir Shah said.

Maj (rtd) Afzal (PHF) acted as the election commissioner with Azizullah Khan (KP Sports Board), Kafayattulah Oragzai (KP Olympic rep) and Amjad Khan (KP Badminton) acted as observers.

Other office-bearers elected to different posts for four-year term included Malik Wadan (SVP), Wazirzada, Haq Nawaz (VP), Manzoor Ahmad (Joint Secretary), Abdullah (Finance secretary).Executive body: Mohammad Yousaf, Shaheen Yousafzai, Dr Liaqat, Mohammad Shoaib Jahangir, Haji Nawaz and Sajjad Ali.