Karachi: National Hockey Day will revival golden days of sport in country. Speakers addressing main event organised by Pakistan Institute of Hockey here opined that enthusiasm with National Hockey Day acroos country will certainly remind new generation not only of golden past of hockey but message to them to excel and come out victorious in every field of sports.This day will play role of bridge between victorious past and decaying present. Success will again kiss feet of Pakistan Hockey. National Hockey Day is being celebrated around 700 small and large cities including rural areas across Pakistan. More than thousand Holy Qurans have been recited to pay tribute to deceased players of Rome Olympics 1960.

It is sad affair that Pakistan Hockey Federation officials and Olympians Association have deliberately avoided celebrating this day. It is national day and should be celebrated regardless of differences.

Vice Chairman of Pakistan Institute of Hockey Muhammad Akram QaimKhani presented resolution to government to declare September 9 as National Hockey Day, which was unanimously approved by attendees. National Athletic Coach Muhammad Talib, Russian Vice Consul Ruslan Prokhorov, Olympian Iftikhar Syed, President of Karachi Residency Foundation Bashir Zaidi, Central Secretary General of Pakistan Sports Writers Federation Asghar Azim, Vice President of Pakistan Tennis Federation Khalid Rahmani and Sindh Kabaddi  were chief guests. Chairman of Association  Ghulam Yasin, Secretary of Sindh Arm Wrestling Association Muhammad Kashif, Patron of Children of Pakistan Foundation Rana Ashfaq Rasool, Chairman Rao Shakeel Ahmed, Secretary General of SJAS Shahid Usman Sati, playwright Rana Khalid Mehmood, Daily National Courier Editor-in-Chief Anil Ahmad Usmani, founder Honorary Secretary General of Pakistan Institute of Hockey Professor Rao Javed Iqbal, Chairman Rana Mushtaq Ahmed, President Zahid Shahab, Director Operations Junaid Ahmed Khan and Joint Secretary Syed Imtiaz Al Hasan spoke.

Cake weighing several pounds was also cut. National College Karachi Principal Uzair Ahmed Madani, Sikh Youth Council President Magan Singh, KHA ex-Secretary Farooq Khan, Pakistan Tug of War Khazan Javed Iqbal Baig, National Coach Muhammad Nadeem, FIA Ex-Director. Mirza Masood Baig, Manager Sales and Marketing of Pakistan Beverages Ltd. Muhammad Akhlaq, former international hockey player Asif Zafar, President of Al-Mustafa Welfare Society Sindh Abdul Ghaffar Saeedi, Director of Al-Mustafa Hospital Admin Moin Ahmed, well-known literary and social personality Muhammad Asghar, Kashmiri leader Ilyas. Mughal, President of Karachi Social Welfare Organisation Faisal Hameed, Mushtaq Ahmad Qureshi and leader of Minhaj-ul-Quran Youth League Rao were also present.

Russian Vice-Consul Ruslan also lauded the initiative of Pakistan Institute of Hockey. Social Activist and Director Operations PIH Junaid Khan said  that he will keep continue promoting sports and talented youth of this country at all levels.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 12 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.