Sindh hockey teams gear up for National Games in Karachi after 18 years

After 18 years, preparations are in full swing for the Sindh hockey teams ahead of the National Games scheduled in Karachi from December 6 to 13. 

International player Azlan Khan has been appointed head coach of the men’s team, while international player Muhammad Naeem will lead the women’s side. 

Open trials for team selection were held in October at the KHA Sports Complex, where players from across Sindh participated.

Olympian Iftikhar Syed served as chairman of the selection committee, which also included other Olympians and divisional representatives.

The trials were attended by prominent figures including Barrister Murtaza Wahab, President of Sindh Hockey Association, and MNA Syeda Shehla Raza, President of KHA Women’s Wing, who personally observed the proceedings.

Sindh Olympic Association Secretary General Ahmed Ali Rajput and his team also reviewed the trials, while the Sindh Sports Board was represented by District Sports Officer East,Syed Ismail Shah. 

Selected players have been instructed to report at the KHA Complex Gulshan Iqbal to Secretary Akbar Ali Qaimkhani and Coordinator Dr. Majid.

The men’s squad includes Shahzaib Khan (captain) from Karachi and Ubaidullah Bhutto (vice-captain) from Larkana, along with players from Sukkur, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas, and Dadu. 

The women’s team features Iqra Iqbal (captain)from Karachi and Shafaat Zahra (vice-captain) from Shaheed Benazirabad, with representation from Sukkur, Hyderabad, Larkana, and Mirpurkhas. Shafqat Hussain has been appointed manager of the men’s team, while Dr. Qamar Raza will manage the women’s side. 

Both teams are determined to perform strongly in Pakistan’s biggest sporting event.

The selected players for men's team  from Karachi Division include Abdullah Sheikh, Arsalan Khalid, Shahbaz Haider, Ali Abbas, Arbaz Ayaz. Hammad Ayaz, Haris Naseer, Arsalan Haider, Shahzeb Khan (captain), Azeem Anil and Daniyal Ali, Obaidullah Bhutto (vice-captain) from Larkana, Muhammad Arif from Sukkur, Mesum Abbas, Ahmed Nawaz, Hammad Rizwan from Hyderabad, Muhammad Usman, Nabil Ahmed from Shaheed Benazirabad, Amanullah from Mirpur Khas, and Tausiq Ahmed from Dadu.

Among the players for women's team are Shazma Naseem from Karachi, Iqra Iqbal (captain), Maheen Ali, Momal Sakina, Sundus Siddiqui, Reja Moeez, Saima Ghulam, Nida Anjum, Ayesha Mahmood, Rumaisa Khan, Fiza Saleem from Shaheed Benazirabad, Shafaat Zahra (vice-captain). Asia Mehr from Sukkur, Maryam Tanio, Azra Batool, Subhana from Hyderabad, Rifat Fatima, Khizra from Larkana, Sardar Bibi, Subhana Taj, and Aqsa from Mirpur Khas.