PHF look to develop interest of juniors
Believe hosting international events could help country’s image.
PHF conducting trials to form a junior pool of players to develop the best team for the 2016 World Cup. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has proposed new plans for the sport’s youngsters in wake of the successful 33rd National Junior Hockey Championship which saw NBP clinch the title after defeating Wapda 2-1 in the final.
PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid has said that they are now planning on taking another step forward in developing interest in the juniors.
“We have taken a step to bring back the spark in our national game, and now to give another push, we are conducting trials to form a junior pool of players to develop the best team for the 2016 World Cup,” Mujahid told The Express Tribune.
“I will also ask the departments to pay and train the selected players which will definitely change the negative image of hockey in the minds of the youngsters.”
Mujahid added that this event was a step towards helping the country host international matches.
“The PHF wants to soften the image of the country. We are not considering the option of playing at neutral venues; we want to instead be able to organise domestic events properly and then bring international ones to Pakistan.
He also said that the PHF will be talking to Hockey India about hosting a bilateral series in June, with their new government now in place.
Meanwhile, Olympian Muhammad Akhlaq, an International Hockey Federation qualified official and NBP’s coach said, “This is a big achievement for the PHF since roughly 100 players from the federation-run academies participated in the national event.
“We are now looking forward to more developments by the PHF for the revival of hockey in Pakistan.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2014.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has proposed new plans for the sport’s youngsters in wake of the successful 33rd National Junior Hockey Championship which saw NBP clinch the title after defeating Wapda 2-1 in the final.
PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid has said that they are now planning on taking another step forward in developing interest in the juniors.
“We have taken a step to bring back the spark in our national game, and now to give another push, we are conducting trials to form a junior pool of players to develop the best team for the 2016 World Cup,” Mujahid told The Express Tribune.
“I will also ask the departments to pay and train the selected players which will definitely change the negative image of hockey in the minds of the youngsters.”
Mujahid added that this event was a step towards helping the country host international matches.
“The PHF wants to soften the image of the country. We are not considering the option of playing at neutral venues; we want to instead be able to organise domestic events properly and then bring international ones to Pakistan.
He also said that the PHF will be talking to Hockey India about hosting a bilateral series in June, with their new government now in place.
Meanwhile, Olympian Muhammad Akhlaq, an International Hockey Federation qualified official and NBP’s coach said, “This is a big achievement for the PHF since roughly 100 players from the federation-run academies participated in the national event.
“We are now looking forward to more developments by the PHF for the revival of hockey in Pakistan.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2014.