Pakistan players to receive a warm welcome at Wagah border

Hockey team finished runners-up at the 2014 Champions Trophy

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has planned a historic welcome for the national hockey team at the Wagah border on Tuesday and made a passionate appeal to the people to receive the players ceremoniously who brought laurels for the country.

PHF President Akhtar Rasool Chaudhry, Secretary General Rana Mujahid Ali and a large number of Olympians will receive the team at the Wagah border, according to a release issued by the PHF here on Monday.

The team will reach the border at 11:30 am (PST) and will be brought to Lahore in a motorcade procession.

Mujahid said in a statement that Pakistan reached the final of the Champions Trophy after a long gap of 16 years, which was a great achievement for a team deprived of international hockey due to of various reasons.

He said that although the team lost to Germany in the final, the players proved their talent by beating the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and India in the semi-finals on their arch-rivals’ home ground. He added that the PHF, with the fervent support of others, will receive the champions in a befitting manner.

"I invite every Pakistani to reach the Wagah border to give a very warm welcome to the national team that won the silver medal in the Champions Trophy in India," urged Mujahid.

He hoped that the people of Lahore will maintain their cherished tradition and would throng the Wagah border to extend a warm welcome to the Pakistan team.

Mujahid thanked the sponsors who came forward to support the cash-strapped PHF and said that without their support, it would have been difficult for the federation to send the team to participate in the Champions Trophy.

“I am extremely delighted that the players didn't disappoint those who invested their money in them. Their splendid performance has infused a new life in the national game.

“I hope that now more sponsors would join the PHF’s efforts to strengthen the national game at the grassroots level,” he added.

 

 
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.