Hockey: PHF seeks help from former greats

Olympians to assist in chalking out strategy for London 2012.

LAHORE: In a bid to help boost the preparations of the national team for the London Olympics, the Pakistan Hockey Federation President Qasim Zia convened a meeting of former hockey greats in Lahore yesterday.

Zia asked the Olympians to give their input regarding forming a winning strategy for the mega event, and also gave them a briefing on the federation’s performance under his presidency during the last three years.

The former players decided to meet again after the conclusion of the Champions Trophy, that starts on December 3, to help form a strategy for the team after critically analysing its performance during the tournament. It was also decided that coach Michel van den Heuval will also be present at the meeting.

Zia acknowledged the Olympians’ readiness to help the national team.

“I am thankful to all the Olympians who have shown interest in helping out the national team,” he said. “We want Pakistan hockey to move in the right direction with the help of our former players. We will call another meeting and hope that they can help form a winning strategy for the Olympics.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 29^th, 2011.