Army chief hopes to bring back hockey's lost glory

[Green Arrow]

Dawn.com Published 38 minutes ago
1 Comment
Print

he Army chief attended the final match of the first Chief of Army Staff Hockey Cup in Rawalpindi. — AFP
KARACHI: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif said he would support any endeavour to restore Pakistan's glory in sports, particularly in hockey, in a bid to revive the country's identity as a sporting nation.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Sunday tweeted:

The army chief attended the final match of the first Chief of Army Staff Hockey Cup in Rawalpindi and gave away trophy, medals and cash prizes to the winning teams of the tournament.

The army chief's statement comes at a time when the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has been struggling to cope with the shortage of funds that may hold back their participation in Sultan Azlan Shah and Olympics. They have reportedly not received any grants from the Prime Minister during the last 20 months.

The team's recent loss to Germany in the final of the Champions Trophy in India has further deprived the team of a golden opportunity to win the prestigious event after 20 years.

The hockey team has earned a number of milestones in the past being the only hockey-playing nation that has won the hockey World Cup title four times. It has also won hockey gold medal at the Asian Games for a record eight times.

 

[fatman17]

Good gesture by the chief

 

[Men in Green]

So Army Chief is running the country.

 

[Jf Thunder]

it seems now everything is being done by the COAS, where is our so called "democratic" government/

 

[Zarvan]

From Foriegn Policy to internal security to defence and now supports where the bloody hell is Nawaz

 

[Badbadman]

Low speed Marshal Law

 

[airmarshal]

Laanat on Nawaz Sharif, his fans and his 'experienced' team. If the army chief has to make such a statement it just shows how incompetent Nawaz govt is.

With every statement like this, PMLN claim to popularity and its 'heavy mandate' look shallow and suspect.

 

[slapshot]

Bring back how? By gunpoint Before match tell the cricket/hockey players if we loose there will be squad executions Then see performing in field...

 

[Hurter]

it seems now everything is being done by the COAS, where is our so called "democratic" government/

Its SIRI-PAYE govt... Gawal Mandi se mou utha k mulk chalane lage hain... PIGS

 

[Green Arrow]

Seems like a mini martial Law

 

[OldenWisdom...قول بزرگ]

Why not have the private corporations sponsor players and tournaments. Build stadiums and training facilities and most of all have more emphasis on national sports.

 

[Irfan Hanif]

Well if he says, Means he can, Because Boss mean Business. He can anything. Loves him

 

[Xracer]

So Army Chief is running the country.

Well It Was Bound To Happen..............

 

[fatman17]

In the past all major sports except for cricket was run by Army Sports Board under the aegis of the legendary Brig Rodham, a tough taskmaster. The results of PK participation in Asaid, C ' wealth were far superior than now days. PK won gold medals regularly in athletics, wrestling, weight lifting, boxing &hockey. The selections were on merit not like today's safarish culture.