February 7, 2003	Friday	Zul Hijjah 5,1423

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KARACHI, Feb 6: Athletes rejoiced on Thursday as Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali lifted the ban on their employment in departments and pledged to accept the demands by the PHF for the promotion of the sport.

“The ban on the employment for the athletes will be lifted from tomorrow for the prosperity of the sports and our athletes,” the prime minister announced after the conclusion of the 50th national hockey championship.

Jamali said the hockey players would be given preference for jobs, although other disciplines would also get the benefit. He said lifting of the ban would expand the base and incentives for the players would attract more youths towards sports.

“We can only have a better society if we attract youths towards sports which are essential part of life,” he added.

The players have been demanding for quite some time to lift the ban on employment in different government departments. Sports activity is expected to revive as quite a few departments will now be able to hire best sportspersons of the country.

Jamali, a former hockey chief selector, vowed to meet all the demands of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) including laying of synthetic turfs and financial help.

“I have been apprised by the PHF about the requirements for the promotion of hockey. I promise to give the PHF whatever it has asked for the promotion of the game,” he said.

Following the good news by Jamali, departments like PIA, National Bank of Pakistan, Allied Bank, could now raise formidable and young hockey, soccer and teams for other disciplines.