Olympian Samiullah calls for collective efforts to revitalize Pakistan hockey

Asher Butt

Olympian Samiullah Khan, fondly known as Flying Horse, emphasized the need for honest and hardworking individuals to guide Pakistan Hockey towards improvement.

In a meeting with officials from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and fellow Olympians, including Hanif Khan, Kaleemullah Khan, Nasir Ali, Waseem Feroze, and others, the discussions revolved around addressing issues and enhancing the status of the national sport.

 

Expressing his sentiments, Flying Horse Samiullah Khan conveyed that hockey has bestowed immense respect, and now it's a collective national responsibility to contribute to the betterment of Pakistan hockey. He stressed the importance of having dedicated individuals to steer the direction of the sport, advocating for collaborative efforts to uplift the national game.

 

Chairman of the National Hockey Selection Committee and Technocrat Member of PHF Executive Board, Olympian Kaleemullah Khan, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the necessity of measures to promote and develop hockey at the grassroots level. He emphasized the importance of patronage for school and college hockey.

 

Olympian Nasir Ali, a World Hockey Cup and Olympics gold medalist, pointed out that the country possesses abundant talent, but a lack of resources poses challenges in providing adequate training. He called for a comprehensive strategy to address this issue.

 

Another gold medalist and Pride of Performance awardee, Olympian Waseem Feroze, underscored the need for ensuring participation in international events to expose players to global competition, acknowledging the difficulty of this task under current economic conditions.

 

PHF Secretary General Haider Hussain acknowledged the economic challenges and suggested that corporate sector support could help overcome financial constraints. He urged for a collective effort from all stakeholders.

 

Former Finance Secretary and Congress Member of PHF, Gulfraz Khan, stressed the importance of organizing junior hockey championships to discover new talent.

 

Olympian Hanif Khan, a World Cup and Olympics gold medalist, emphasized the necessity of holding accountable those responsible for the decline of hockey. He questioned why individuals who harm the national sport couldn't be held responsible in a manner similar to politicians facing legal consequences.

 

Olympian Samiullah Khan expressed his support for all efforts aimed at improving the national sport and commended the hard work of Secretary General PHF Haider Hussain. He highlighted the need for diligence in hockey leadership and suggested a comprehensive strategy for economic improvement.

 

In a separate development, Vice President of PHF, Syeda Shehla Raza, connected with Olympian Samiullah Khan via phone to discuss matters related to the national game. The discussions included a commitment to not compromise with those responsible for the decline of hockey. Syeda Shehla Raza assured that PHF welcomes the collaboration of Olympians, players, and officials to collectively address challenges and enhance the sport at the grassroots level.