PHF chief for rapid improvement in Pakistan hockey
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

KARACHI: Pakistan Hockey Federation President Tariq Kirmani Thursday said if need be technocrats will be introduced in the basic structure of the Federation to achieve goals set at the time of his appointment by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shaukat Aziz.

Addressing the first press conference after his taking over the charge of PHF head he underlined the objectives to introduce improvements in the national game adopting the basic attitude of reaching the consensus on different issues ailing hockey in the country.

“I have sought various opinions and views from the former Olympians and greats of hockey who had brought glory to Pakistan in the past. Some suggestions are valuable,” said the PHF chief with an assurance that proposals and experiences of those will be implemented in true spirit to bring back hockey glory to the country.

Prior to the press conference he had called a meeting of hockey greats of Pakistan where suggestions for improvements were tabled. Most of former players were of the view that hockey should be completely revamped, coaches be appointed on merit, affairs of the Federation be run by competent people and the national team should now be prepared right from the grass root level performances and then grooming of the talent.

Pakistan has won one major title in the last 19 years whereas in 1986 they had the Olympics, World Hockey Cup, Asian Games and Champions Trophy under their belt. All these were lost one by one due to unstable policies of PHF bosses who had been groping in the dark in search of sustainable solutions.

When this correspondent asked about audit reports and actions taken on irregularities, Secretary of the Federation brig. Musarratullah refrained from replying directly saying that such questions could be tackled in some later press conference.

Former Pakistan left winger the ‘flying horse’ Samiullah while throwing some light on proceedings of the meeting said hockey should be played in schools and colleges and talent be picked by the selectors right from the grass root level. And after holding junior championships in the country at least three to four players for one position be prepared for the national team. This will infuse the spirit of competition and remove complacency, which is plaguing the skills of the players.

Taking a modest approach to the affairs Tariq Kirmani was determined to bring back past glories to Pakistan when he said: “I will do anything to enforce the improvements and put up a strong foundation for the Federation to function effectively for the progress of hockey.”

He pointed out that his selection came from the Prime Minister for the post and it will be his duty to work in accordance with the trust reposed in him.

Tariq Kirmani, who is also the managing Director of Pakistan State oil has plenty of resources at his disposal to bring about required changes in the entire hockey set up. Some of the hockey players of yester years were of the opinion that if the task is taken up earnestly, it will not be long before the green flag starts fluttering again on world hockey scenario.●