Pakistan Hockey Federation to launch Indoor Hockey programme from the next year, says PHF President Qasim Zia
Qasim Zia, former Olympian and President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), stated that PHF is planning to launch an indoor hockey programme in the next year, with the intent of improving the standard of the game.
The initiative will provide the players with ample opportunity to maintain their fitness and shape, along with practicing for their matches during the off-season.
The PHF President also viewed the indoor hockey as a tremendous way of playing and encouraging the sport of hockey in the country.
“We have a plan to introduce indoor hockey after the London 2012 Olympics. Hard surface courts can be arranged and that is the starting point for deciding on indoor hockey,” Qasim Zia informed the print media at a ceremony arranged by Rawalpindi-Islamabad
Sports Journalists Association (RISJA) in honour of its new council members.
He told that the PHF is looking to organise a group of strong and well prepared players for London Olympics and will try its best to bring back the glory to the nation.
“The PHF has announced probables for a tournament in Australia followed by Champions Trophy in New Zealand to be played in December. The final squad for London Olympics will be finalised after watching the players' performance in these events,” Qasim Zia
further added to his views regarding the team’s selection for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The PHF President also looked content with the progress of the sport in the country and stated that it would soon regain its lost status and glory.
He also said that they have set certain targets and it will not take too long for Pakistan to be among the best hockey nations of the world.
When asked about hockey relations with the neighbours, Qasim Zia told that the federation is trying its best to revive bilateral hockey ties with arch-rivals, India, in order to improve and boost the sport of hockey in the region.
With the indoor programme in order, the standard of the game will definitely undergo massive enhancement.
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