KARACHI, Jan 2: Lack of equipment forced Mekran to play with sub-standard goalkeeping kit Thursday at the ongoing 50th national hockey championship qualifiers.

The outfit from Balochistan were seen playing against Sargodha with their goalkeeper wearing shorter than required safety pads and guards, while the playing kits for the remaining squad were also arranged by the team manager after arrival in Karachi.

“I have heard and read in newspapers that PHF has given some 800 hockey sticks and 600 kits to Balochistan. But we have yet to receive the equipment and the gear,” Mekran manager Mohammad Hussain, said at the UBL Sports Complex.

According to Hussain, he came to Karachi for the championship without playing kits, gear and hockey sticks and his side played the matches only after arrangement was made here before the event started.