Former coach and captain Pakistan Hockey team Shahnaz Sheikh has urged upon the government to arrange hockey matches in different cities before the departure of the national hockey team to India, in order to create interest among the nation regarding the upcoming World Hockey Cup.
Addressing a reception, given by newly elected President Regional Cricket Association Malik Zulfiqar after the concluding of a ten-day hockey camp, he lauded the efforts for organising the camp for the first time in Sialkot.
Former captain pointed the national hockey team had won four world cups in the past, which is an honour for Pakistan. He observed that although the forthcoming world cup would be tough because all the participating teams are equal, but Pakistani team had full potential and professionalism. The former hockey coach disclosed that Sialkot had produced and provided as many as 24 top hockey players in the past, which is a great honour for this export-oriented city, globally known for producing quality sports goods around the globe.
President Regional Cricket Association Malik Zulfiqar, on this occasion, announced on behalf of the hockey manufacturers association that Rs 10 lakh would be given to the hockey team on winning the World Hockey Cup. He also handed over a cheque amounting to Rs 2 lac to Sohail Abbas on his outstanding performance. Addressing the reception, Khawaja Muhammad Asif Member National Assembly (MNA) said Pakistan hockey team is honourable for the whole nation because hockey players were rays of hope in this darkness of time.