Customs set to make a return with National Championship

KARACHI: The training camp of Pakistan Customs hockey team for the forthcoming National Hockey Championship is in full swing here at the Pakistan Customs Sports Complex as they look to make a solid return to domestic hockey scene.
The players are being trained at the camp by former Pakistan greats Farhat Khan and Waseem Feroze.
Customs were once among the strongest teams in domestic hockey and boasted legends like Islahuddin, Hanif Khan, Samiullah, Hasan Sardar and Kalimullah before facing a plunge.
Samsam Qadir, director administration Pakistan Customs Sports Complex, told ‘The News’ that Customs are taking the upcoming National Hockey Championship very seriously as it will provide them with an opportunity to make a return to the top of domestic hockey once more.
The former Pakistan junior team goalkeeper said that Customs felt their responsibility in helping promote the sport in country and decided to form their squad for the event.
He added that despite having a talented lot, they do not want to burden their team with too many expectations as most of the players in the 24-member squad are quite young with little experience.
The team has only two international players in captain Haseem Khan and Asim Khan.
Samsam said that after the National Hockey Championship, Customs would look to also feature in the National Junior Championship, which is to be played in February.
Danish Kaleem has been appointed as head coach, while Mohammad Ali and Zahid Ali Siddiqui will be assistant coaches.