Daily Times

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has announced an immediate release of Rs3.5 million grants for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to help them rise from the slump that the national sport is facing. A PHF delegation, which included its President Brigadier (r) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, Vice President Tariq Huda and Secretary General Shahbaz Ahmed Senior, met Murad here on Monday to discuss plans for the improvement of hockey in Sindh and ultimately in the country. Aside from the immediate grant, Murad also promised Rs100 million annually for the PHF. Meanwhile, he also promised to help renovate the Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium.

“The Sindh government will bear all the expenses for the renovation work of Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium,” said Murad. “I will my best to bring back the lost glory of hockey in Sindh and Pakistan.” PHF Secretary Shahbaz praised Murad for stepping up to help them. “We are really thankful to the Sindh CM for stepping forward to help us in the revival of national game throughout the country,” Shahbaz said. “The initial grant of Rs3.5m will be released this week, while the yearly grant of Rs100m will be released within this month.” When asked where the money will be invested, Shahbaz said: “We have to revive the passion of the national game among the youngsters first by organising championships for every age group.” Shahbaz also unearthed the details of the renovation of the hockey stadium. “They have agreed to renovate each and everything in the stadium,” he said. “Further, we will be giving them plans for the revival of hockey clubs and hockey stadiums in Sindh, as the World XI matches will be held in Karachi and also the final of Pakistan Hockey League (PHL).”

Published in Daily Times, November 7^th 2017.