Qasim, Asif retained as PHF president: secretary

KARACHI: Congress of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) met here on Tuesday at Hockey Club of Pakistan and has retained Qasim Zia as President and Muhammad Asif Bajwa as Secretary unanimously for the term of next four years.

Representatives from the country approved the proposed panel in the meeting of 46th Congress of PHF.

The other elected members are Vice Presidents Nawab Lashkari Raisani (Balochistan), Saeed Khan (NWFP), Wasay Jalil (Sindh), Barrister Shahida Jamil (Women’s Wing), Associate Secretary Rana Mujahid Ali and Treasurer Khalid Rasool.

Chief Election Commissioner Rao Iftikhar and Ejaz Gul conducted the elections proceedings. Congress also approved the amendment in the constitution of PHF.

However, the agenda of the meeting, which was circulated in Pakistan Olympics Association, Pakistan Sports Board and other different units, didn’t mention about any amendment in the constitution.

“Only notices were sent to PHF units, which was not the right way to make an amendment in the constitution. They should have informed POA, PSB and other units before making any amendment in the constitution,” a source told PPI.

According to the amendment, the members of the PHF Executive Board have been increased from 14 to 18. Now Executive Board members will be President PHF, four vice presidents, Secretary General, Associate Secretary, Treasurer, two representatives from the departments, three technocrats and four provincial secretaries.

PHF President Qasim Zia addressing the press briefing after the Congress meeting said that the Pakistan Hockey is moving in the right direction and new players are now hopeful of a secure future in the national game.

“After many years, Pakistan team has displayed brilliant performances and recently reached the final of Champions Challenge League final,” he said.

He said that Pakistani players are very talented and they only need proper guidance and direction to represent Pakistan strongly in the international arena.

“I don’t promise that Pakistan will clinch World Cup. But we are hopeful that that our team would make worthy achievement in the prestigious event and will not let down their fans,” he said.

He further said that their target is Asian Games title and they are preparing their team accordingly.

He said that international tournaments in the country are very important for the promotion of hockey in the country but the prevailing security issue is posing hindrance for holding of such event.

“It is good to see Pakistan Boxing Federation holding an international boxing event in which many countries are participating. But the story is different in hockey. Hockey needs a vast open ground which is difficult to secure whereas boxing is an indoor sport,” he said.

However, he said that PHF is making efforts to bring international events back to the country and the coming of FIH president to Pakistan is a proof of their efforts.

“We got some positive responses from international bodies and hopefully we would be able to host some international event in near future,” he said.