COAS witnesses national hockey championship final in Lahore

ISPR says Gen Bajwa also met reps of clubs from remote areas to encourage the sport's revival

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa witnessed the final match of the first COAS National Inter Club Hockey Championship 2022 in Lahore on Saturday, the military said.

"Various hockey legends and Olympians witnessed the match to support the revival of the national game and appreciated the joint initiative of Pakistan Army and Pakistan Hockey Federation as talent hunt for sportsmen around Pakistan," said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement.

The military's media wing added that the final match was played between Lahore and Malir Hockey Clubs.

It added that the Rana Zaheer hockey club Lahore beat Youth Hockey Club Malir Karachi after a thrilling contest.

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The ISPR further said that the chief guest awarded Champions Trophy to the teams along with medals.

"Individual prizes to the best player of the winning team, best goalkeeper, most goal scoring player, defender and best forward player were also awarded [on the occasion]."

According to the communiqué, the COAS also met representatives of the clubs from the remote areas of Pakistan and players to encourage the sport's revival and talent hunt across the country.

"The championship started with 718 clubs from 72 districts and 28 divisions participating from all over the country contesting at four stages including district, divisional, provincial and finally concluded at the national level," the ISPR concluded.