Abbasi named PHF player of the year

Seasoned striker gets newly-introduced Noor Khan Trophy.

KARACHI: Seasoned striker Shakeel Abbasi was named Pakistan’s best player of the year 2012 and was presented the newly-introduced Noor Khan Trophy by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) yesterday.    

The PHF initiated the awards for best senior, junior and women players following its executive board and congress meetings in its headquarters in Lahore yesterday.

Abbasi, who recently won the player of the tournament award at Champions Trophy in Australia, received the award along with a cash prize of Rs100, 000.

The junior and women player awards – Brigadier Atif Trophy went to Mohammad Dilber and Rabia Qadir respectively, who also received Rs 50, 000 each.

Meanwhile, various important decisions were taken during the meeting including approval of the budget for deficit, according to a PHF official.



The senior, junior and women team’s participation in international competitions were also discussed with 2013 calendar being approved by the executive board.

The PHF secretary Asif Bajwa said that the executive board and congress expressed satisfaction on the performance of the junior and senior teams in 2012.

“We have successfully achieved the targets that we had set for the year,” said Bajwa. “The performance of our junior and senior teams was satisfactory in 2012. Our main task next year is to prepare for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

“The team will be given best possible preparations. We are hoping for further improvement from them in international tournaments.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2013.