KARACHI, Nov 4: President, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Qasim Zia revealed on Tuesday that the federation would shortly be hiring the services of a foreign consultant for uplifting of hockey in the country.

“We would be hiring a Dutch expert for one year in a bid to revive and improve the overall standard of the sport in the country,” he said.

The consultant is being invited over to watch the five-Test match junior series between Pakistan and India to give his view and feedback as well as his interest in the job before finalising his induction as a consultant, Qasim informed.

He said the foreign consultant will advise them in different areas of the game for the PHF to implement the same.

Famous full-back Qasim, a member of 1984 Los Angeles OIympic gold medal-winning squad, however, made clear that PHF had no plans to hire a foreign coach for the national team.

“We want to train our own coaches for the job and my mission is to improve hockey and bring back its past glory to the country. But it will take a few years before that happens,” he said while adding that their focus was on the 2010 Asian Games in China.

Qasim said with more money in the kitty, PHF will be able to provide maximum international exposure to the players to hone their skill.

He referred to his meeting with City Nazim Mustafa Kamal who, he said, has decided to revive the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board, CDGK and Karachi Building Control Authority hockey teams.

He said that Mustafa Kamal also promised to help out in securing possession of the metropolis’ hockey grounds.

He said that re-launching of hockey teams in the various departments will not only help boost the game here but also provide the much needed job opportunities to the players.—APP