RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Muhammad Khalid Sajjad Khokhar met Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa at General Headquarters here other day. Khalid, a retired brigadier, expressed satisfaction over the meeting and said: “Gen Bajwa appreciated the idea of a proposed hockey league featuring international stars, to be held in Lahore at the end of this year. He also assured the Army’s support in providing security to foreign players and teams visiting Pakistan,” he said. The decision of Pakistan Army was followed by the visit of football stars Ronaldinho and friends earlier this month, where they played two matches at Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium in Karachi and Fortress Stadium in Lahore, respectively. The security for the event was provided by Pakistan Army which sent a strong message to the world. Talking about PHF’s other efforts in reviving hockey in Pakistan, Khalid said: “In September, the PHF is trying to bring a World XI team – comprising past and present international stars from leading hockey nations such as Australia, Germany and the Netherlands – to play an exhibition match against a Pakistan team consisting of seasoned stalwarts. The match will probably be played at the Army Stadium, Rawalpindi or in Karachi,” he added. He further said that the Pakistan Army’s support would go a long way towards staging the hockey league and the match against the World XI. “These efforts would rekindle people and especially the youth’s interest in hockey, which is very essential for the revival of our national game,” he maintained. He also informed that the national federation would also be organising nine-players-a-side tournament in August and September featuring 10 teams from Pakistan. PHF secretary general Shahbaz Ahmed Senior, who is making the efforts to invite international players from different countries for the World XI match, said he was optimistic that they would be able to revive international hockey in the Pakistan once again. “The World XI match will be held before the PHL to demonstrate the security setup in Pakistan, and it will help us revive the national game,” boasted Shahbaz. “Some of the nations have assured us of sending their players, while I am also talking to my friends in different countries who are helping me in this effort,” he said. Shahbaz revealed that they hired the company which was helped the Pakistan Cricket Board in organising the first edition of the Pakistan Super League. “Five teams with city names will be a part of the tournament,” said Shahbaz. “The format, the logo and many other things have been finalised. Only a few amendments are left and then we are good to go with the league in November or December.” Published in Daily Times, July 25th , 2017.