PHF patron Malik to work for Indo-Pak hockey series resumption
April 20th, 2011 - 2:15 pm ICT by ANI
Islamabad, April 20(ANI): Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who is also the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s patron, is keen to resume the hockey series between India and Pakistan.
PHF Secretary General Mohammad Asif Bajwa confirmed that Rehman had accepted the offer to become its patron and assured full support for the promotion of hockey.
“He has been given the task by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who is PHF’s Patron-in-Chief, to make the hockey series with India possible, and he assured us for using all his good offices including the chairmanship of SAARC Home Ministers Committee,” the Daily Times quoted Bajwa, as saying after meeting with Rehman along with PHF President Qasim Zia.
Earlier, the PHF officials also met with Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Sports Minister Engineer Shoukatullah and PTV Managing Director Yousaf Beg Mirza, to discuss the promotion of the national sport.
“All our meetings remained fruitful. The sports minister assured us full support for the issuance of financial grant and the organisation of the series with India. Rehman will also use his personal relations with Indian Home Minister P Chidambarm, while PTV is willing to telecast our activities and promote the game,” said Bajwa. Bajwa said Rehman had also assured the PHF management of establishing a National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) hockey team and reviving the Pakistan Customs hockey wing.
“We are very upbeat and hopeful about the game’s future after these meetings. We hope for the India series in near future and also a good patronage by the government for development of the game,” he added.
Pakistan’s chances of hosting international sports are also directly linked to an improvement in the security situation in the country.
Pakistan has been a virtual ‘no go’ venue for international sporting activities since the March 2009 terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in Lahore, which left eight people dead and injured seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach. (ANI)
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