Syeda Shehla elected as first woman president of PHF

 Syeda Shehla Raza Elected as First Woman President of Pakistan Hockey Federation

Asher Butt

In a groundbreaking development, Syeda Shehla Raza has been elected as the first woman president in the history of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). This historic moment unfolded during the PHF Congress meeting held in Karachi, where Shehla Raza garnered unanimous support from the members.

Unanimous Election: Syeda Shehla Raza's appointment as the President of PHF was met with unanimous approval from the PHF Congress members, marking a significant milestone in the federation's history.

Raja Shuja as Finance Secretary: Alongside Shehla Raza's presidency, Raja Shuja was also unanimously elected as the finance secretary of PHF, further solidifying the leadership structure of the federation.

Endorsement by Prime Minister: The nomination and subsequent election of Shehla Raza received the endorsement of the caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, who approved the replacement of the former president, Khalid Sajjad Khokhar.

Commitment to Overcoming Challenges: In her acceptance speech, Shehla Raza expressed her commitment to addressing the challenges facing Pakistani hockey. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the sport and improve the international ranking of Pakistani hockey teams.

Appointment of Olympian Samiullah Khan: Shehla Raza announced the appointment of Olympian Samiullah Khan as an advisor to the President of PHF, underlining her intent to leverage the expertise of seasoned professionals to guide the federation forward.

Scrutiny Process and Talent Hunt: President Shehla Raza instructed the scrutiny committee to expedite their work and complete the scrutiny process within two months, in line with the recommendations of the Prime Minister. Additionally, she tasked the Chairman of the National Hockey Selection Committee, Olympian Kaleemullah Khan, with initiating a talent hunt program in collaboration with the selection committee members.

Nationwide Club Scrutiny: The PHF Congress endorsed the recommendations for nationwide club scrutiny, with President Shehla Raza appointing a committee to oversee the process. This initiative aims to streamline the club structure and promote transparency within the hockey community.

Focus on Women's Hockey: President Shehla Raza highlighted the importance of promoting women's hockey and pledged to take measures to protect the rights of women athletes. She acknowledged the absence of the National Women's Hockey Championship in recent years and vowed to prioritize women's participation and development in the sport.

Syeda Shehla Raza's historic election as the President of PHF marks a significant step towards promoting gender inclusivity and advancing the cause of hockey in Pakistan. With her visionary leadership and commitment to revitalizing the sport, she aims to overcome challenges and steer the federation towards a brighter future.