72 school teams get hockey kits in Faisalabad

Key Points:

Hockey kits distributed to teams of 72 schools of Faisalabad Division.
PHF school programme reaches more than 800 schools nationwide, with 50 per cent girls’ participation.
New astro turf for Faisalabad Hockey Stadium; ground functional within six months.

FAISALABAD: School teams from across the division received hockey kits at a ceremony at the Hockey Stadium.

According to the DPR handout, MPA Rana Ahmed Shahryar distributed the hockey kits to students of the 72 schools at the ceremony, organised by the Sports Department.

The kits are part of practical steps for the revival of hockey, the national game. The steps follow the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the directions of Senator Rana Sanaullah Khan, the prime minister’s adviser on political affairs.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani attended the ceremony. Additional Commissioner (Coordination) Qaiser Abbas Rind, Additional Deputy Commissioner Adil Umar, Divisional Sports Officer Nadeem Qaiser and District Sports Officer Sajida Latif were present, with officers of other departments.

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Mr Shahryar said the mission to revive hockey would continue above politics for the people and youth of the division.

He said inter-school hockey competitions would be held in the division, with standout teams getting chances at events in Islamabad.

He added that the PHF has set up a portal for the whole country, where applications can be made on merit for sports needs, especially hockey.

PHF President Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani said a school development programme has begun across the country with the Government of Pakistan and the PHF. Under the programme, modern hockey kits are being provided in more than 800 schools.

The programme focuses on preparing players from nursery level to under-15, with 50 per cent girls’ participation ensured.

Mr Wani said the lack of continuity had harmed the national game in the past, but steps were now being taken under an integrated strategy. He expected positive change in hockey within one to two years.

At the ceremony, it was announced that new astro turf would soon be laid at the Faisalabad Hockey Stadium and the ground made functional within six months.

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