PHF to set up indoor hockey complex

LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is setting up an indoor hockey complex in Lahore and Islamabad in a bid to revive the sport in the country.

“Introducing indoor hockey will create a lively form of the game which will help us bring hockey lovers back to the stadiums,” Khawaja Junaid, head coach of the youth side, told The Express Tribune. “Pakistan has a great record in hockey but interest is fading away and sadly the fans have stopped following it. Indoor twenty-twenty hockey has gained popularity and is making an impact on the sport like Twenty20 cricket.

“This will be attractive for the spectators at the ground and  television viewers so it will be successful. These days spectators want entertainment from a sport and one that keeps them on their feet.”

The Pakistan Junior team recently participated in the Junior Indoor Hockey Asia Cup in Malaysia. However, they failed to make a strong impact in their first appearance in an indoor tournament and only won one match against Thailand 6-0 before succumbing to two consecutive defeats to defending champions Iran and the hosts.

“We participated in an indoor event for the first time and despite having a disappointing campaign we learnt a lot. It was all new for us but we were unlucky that our opening two matches were against the best indoor teams Malaysia and Iran. But once we found our feet we played well and I think we can easily adjust to this format of the game.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2010.