Newly-elected KHA president Saeed Ghani vows to promote hockey

KARACHI: Sindh Local Government minister Saeed Ghani, who has recently been elected as Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) president, vowed on Saturday to work for the promotion of hockey in the province.

Ghani was addressing a press conference at Abdul Sattar Hockey Stadium where he was invited as chief guest to witness celebration matches on the occasion of Pakistan Day.

"Sindh Government has laid nine astro turfs in the province which will be utilised for the promotion of our national sport. Karachi will see more hockey events on a regular basis," Ghani said.

Ghani announced the revival of All Pakistan Sindh Chief Minister Hockey Cup which was a regular tournament in the national hockey calendar more than a decade ago. "CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah has directed the provincial departments to establish sports teams in different disciplines and we have already started working on it.

"We are committed to fostering more participation of youth in sports," he added.

Ghani, who assumed the post after former president Zubair Habib stepped down a few days ago, said he was cognizant of the fact that parallel sports associations were operating in the province. "This has badly hampered the growth of our sports," he opined.

He urged the parallel hockey association in Karachi to put all the differences aside and work together for the development of the sport. "KHA is affiliated with the PHF and I truly hope that this dispute will soon end. Efforts should be made to support our youth and strengthen Pakistan's hockey," Ghani concluded.