Army chief hopes to bring back hockey's lost glory
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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:
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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.
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Comments (88) Closed
Feb 01, 2015 04:25pm
PMLn govt is creating vacuum which someone has to fill. it would be better for the country if vacuum is filled another competent civilian govt.
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Feb 01, 2015 04:27pm
"Army chief hopes to bring back hockey's lost glory" - are you kidding me?
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Feb 01, 2015 04:28pm
Only You Can Gen. !!!
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Feb 01, 2015 04:36pm
Hope he will bring peace to the entire country thus bring the glory to Pakistan before bringing glory to hockey.
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Feb 01, 2015 04:38pm
Support hockey and support football
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Feb 01, 2015 04:39pm
The General should concentrate on Military matters only as that is his only duty!!
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Feb 01, 2015 04:41pm
General Sahib, please deal with terrorist and extremist elements first. Our children are dieing and begging on the streets. First make the country economically self sufficient then we can discuss how good our country's ranking in Goli Danda.
Why can't we enjoy sports like we did when we were kids, why is being number 1 or better than India more important?
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Feb 01, 2015 04:41pm
Pakistan only had one Brigadier Cuthbert Harold Boyd Rodham, the true sports administrator who placed not just the Army but Pakistan on the world sports map. Sadly the Army could not produce more Rodhams.
I hope the General sticks to his commitment
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Feb 01, 2015 04:42pm
Oh! the govt is busy in building metros, motorways & distribution of laptops etc;...no time for hockey ? what hockey...there are many sport areas which the sportsmen are trying by themselves through private sponsors etc;
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Feb 01, 2015 04:44pm
Sports ministry also along with defense and foreign!
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Feb 01, 2015 04:54pm
Rulers are incapable so others have to do their job. Ruling brothers can't even stand Punjab Governor who had some good ideas for common people.
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Feb 01, 2015 05:01pm
Multifaceted person , he is fit to lead the country and should immediately form a party and should contest for elections and become next PM of Pakistan , he is better candidate than IK or any other person, if he dons this role he will definitely take Pakistan to greater heights along with assistance from China.
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Feb 01, 2015 05:01pm
Now games. A gradual but good encroachment. Our inept politicians will not do anything good for the country.
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Feb 01, 2015 05:01pm
He is mocking the politicians to pay heed to some serious issues,, instead of just ridiculing each other.
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Feb 01, 2015 05:05pm
Good on ya Mr Raheel Sharif. Shame on 'democratic leaders' too busy filling their pockets.
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Feb 01, 2015 05:05pm
We only expect from our army to defend us against external and internal security threats. Please do your real job first then think about other areas.
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Feb 01, 2015 05:11pm
Why does the army chief have anything to do with improving hockey?!!
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Feb 01, 2015 05:13pm
issue is with management and politics. Private sponsors are willing to sponsor players. PHF ruined Pakistan hockey. Army has to take care all sports in country.
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Feb 01, 2015 05:18pm
The worst is over for Pakistan. We shall rise & shine in every field Inshallah
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Feb 01, 2015 05:20pm
Now who's the real in-charge? So much for the democracy!
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Feb 01, 2015 05:23pm
Your are COAS, your job is to fight terrorism, please do that properly first.
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Feb 01, 2015 05:27pm
So now after defence, foreign policy and courts we now have the Pakistan Army getting into sports. Well done. Nawaz Sharif may as well go home now. Game, set and match to Raheel Sharif.
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Feb 01, 2015 05:31pm
Revive of our identity as a peacefull nation is much more important than the game
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Feb 01, 2015 05:34pm
Well done Pak Army. Proud of you!!
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Feb 01, 2015 05:34pm
Raheel Sahib, it is not our priority. Our priorities lying some where else. Please do not waste your time in petty matters. Concentrate on terrorists.
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Feb 01, 2015 05:35pm
once again Army is the one concerned about every single thing
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Feb 01, 2015 05:39pm
What about squash kabaddi and cricket why so mean to these sports
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Feb 01, 2015 05:47pm
God bless you sir. Atleast one of the Sharif is doing something for the country.
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Feb 01, 2015 05:50pm
Bravo to you Chief Saab !! Wishing you all the best for reviving Hockey in Pakistan Aameen
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Feb 01, 2015 05:55pm
Who is the PM nawaz sharif or raheel sharif. This is govt job not army's job. Better focus on defense and security issues
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Feb 01, 2015 05:58pm
This is not army's work to do.
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Feb 01, 2015 05:58pm
Provide grounds, facilities and sports environment to public the sport will revive itself Insha Allah. The Chief's comments to improve sports are welcomed and timely. Remember a strong mind in a strong body comes from good food and exercise.
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Feb 01, 2015 06:03pm
Would be sensible if COAS concentrated on military/ security issues especially dealing with terrorists and leave sports matters to relevant authorities.
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Feb 01, 2015 06:04pm
General Sahib,
Pls do someting for hockey, this sports will die ,my suggestion is to get Malik Raiz involved and make him sponsor of the hockey team, they should have Bahria logo.
I see no way out , this way Bahria will have good promotion world wide and hockey.
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Feb 01, 2015 06:16pm
Who is running this country? It is quite obvious it is not PM.
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Feb 01, 2015 06:17pm
Holy Lord!! Now he seems to have taken over the Sports Ministry as well!
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Feb 01, 2015 06:19pm
Great effort indeed! However we would like to request COAS to promote "Football" because:
1) It is "lot more" popular in the world - Can give nation better global exposure
2) Pak is the manufacturer of FIFA world cup official football. So already got top of the world Logistics & proven potential
3) We can play with Latin American teams and Turkey's Beshiktash and Fenerbace
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Feb 01, 2015 06:33pm
I guess only business now left for these good for nothing government(PMLn) now is to loot and plunder national exchequer as much as they can during their stint in government .
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Feb 01, 2015 06:35pm
Wow the CAOS is into everything from foreign policy to sports. Next time we should vote for COAS instead of any political party.
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Feb 01, 2015 06:42pm
Sorry chief, you will be wasting your time. Pakistan's Hockey cannot be revived. There is way too much politics and favouritism.
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Feb 01, 2015 06:48pm
Getting ready!!!!!!
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Feb 01, 2015 06:53pm
Why is the army chief taking on the role of a sports minister? Stay focused on national security and avoid distractions.
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Feb 01, 2015 06:54pm
Pakistan nation wants hockey glory back, thanks for working on it COAS. Our duas are with you.
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Feb 01, 2015 06:54pm
de facto PM of Pakistan.
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Feb 01, 2015 06:57pm
dude - please do your job and stop terrorism rather then spending your time building a nation of sports
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Feb 01, 2015 07:01pm
Sir please try to solve energy crisis and water supply. sanitary workers are also not doing a proper job in our area, please look into that also (Thank you Imran Khan)
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Feb 01, 2015 07:02pm
@chasingsanity Because we do not have any sports minister also we do not have any foreign minister, so COAS has to these two important functions for the nation also.
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Feb 01, 2015 07:16pm
You don't have Sports Ministry in Pakistan ??
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Feb 01, 2015 07:19pm
Its only army who care about Pakistan. What govt is doing? busy in their own business and crowns?
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Feb 01, 2015 07:30pm
@chasingsanity
Why ? Because your own elected government gives a ____ about it.
Their only concern is how much can they loot before next election.
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Feb 01, 2015 07:30pm
That would be great. We must encourage sports to build a healthy society and to channel youth energy in the right way. Honestly, we can't restore sustainable glory without making thoseaccountablemwho ruined it in the first place. PML N govt in 1990s destroyed hockey only because Nawaz sharif gave top positions to his relatives and supporters just like he is now destroying cricket.
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Feb 01, 2015 07:37pm
Again we are on wrong track.
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Feb 01, 2015 07:38pm
Because of security situation we can not even have international cricket match in Pakistan. Mr. COAS, first improve security and peace inside Pakistan, other things will fall in place automatically.
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Feb 01, 2015 07:50pm
we will use hockey sticks to face enemy----the neighbor kind,
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Feb 01, 2015 07:52pm
Finally! The army is saving hockey as well.
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Feb 01, 2015 07:53pm
There goes democracy. Pakistanis have learnt no lessons from dictatorships! Also a big thank you to Imran Khans lack of political maturity and Nawaz Sharifs incompetence.
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Feb 01, 2015 07:56pm
Its high time that somebody should step up to save our national game. Hockey made us proud so many times yet we pay no attention to it. Its our politicians job to save this game but they are so incompetent that eventually even for hockey chief of army staff had to step up. Our politicians are so corrupt that they think they are only made for living in big houses. Sometimes i think maybe there should not be any democracy in Pakistan.
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Feb 01, 2015 08:07pm
Why is he poking into sport department?, he is a army officer, not politician
its really weird, it can happen only in pakistan
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Feb 01, 2015 08:09pm
@chasingsanity Why not my friend? If anything, everyone in Pakistan should be interested in promoting sports. .. including our democratically elected government.
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Feb 01, 2015 08:11pm
Hail the new king!!!.
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Feb 01, 2015 08:46pm
Use you common sense guys. The purpose of such statement is just to give a signal to Gov that they should take the national sport seriously. Army is not going to fund them or COAS is not going to coach the hockey team.
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Feb 01, 2015 08:50pm
Our PM doesn't hv time to look in to our national sports thy r beggng fr funds bt in vain.its a good move by chief sahb.
Our hockey deserve to be look after to revive its glory.
Wll done chief sahb.
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Feb 01, 2015 08:55pm
That's not your job Army Chief. Yes you can push the people responsible from behind.
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Feb 01, 2015 08:56pm
just worry about the enemy on the eastern front.............rest will take care of itself
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Feb 01, 2015 09:25pm
Great, can you first bring back the electricity.
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Feb 01, 2015 09:26pm
Thank you Mr. COAS, thank you!
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Feb 01, 2015 09:28pm
@Nuur - He feels that he is in a position to put some pressure to revive Hockey. What is wrong with that?
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Feb 01, 2015 09:34pm
Read between the lines, this is a big political statement!
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Feb 01, 2015 09:37pm
COAS flexing his muscle in the sports arena as well after neglection from the so called democratic govt.
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Feb 01, 2015 09:42pm
Pay attention on punishing terrorists and corrupts politicians, lawyers and judges. Revive the image of Pakistan by creating honest government first before reviving forgotten hockey game,
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Feb 01, 2015 09:46pm
He is real leader like Imran. He knows where is Pakistan's potential.
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Feb 01, 2015 09:48pm
Good idea Sir. Hockey should take priority over Zarb-e-Azb.
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Feb 01, 2015 10:08pm
Hockey? Hope that was a joke!
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Feb 01, 2015 10:39pm
@civil Pakistan learn before you comment.
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Feb 01, 2015 11:00pm
Sir, concentrate on BIGGER things......please.
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Feb 02, 2015 12:54am
Is there any difference between the politicians and army who don't do the job assigned? Saad Rafique is the Minister for Railways but he always heard him talking about nothing but other topics and occasionally at best and most about his department. Then we have the PM who is on foreign trips to KSA, USA, etc. Here we go with the COAS who is talking about anything but security, etc and even takes foreign trips. Why can he not talk about promotion of sports in armed forces to improve athletic outlook that will have prospects of good citizenship and team player promotion?
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Feb 02, 2015 02:46am
Not your job Mia Raheel, leave it to the hockey federation.
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Feb 02, 2015 02:49am
Now he is a sports leader above being a PM#2, COAS and a foreign and defence minister
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Feb 02, 2015 03:12am
Plz Ban cricket , it is destroying Pak s sports culture , Cricket are making youth a lazy and forcing all the women to sit whole day on TV to watch and gain wait ....
Unless Pak is not ban on cricket we as nation could not excel in sports
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Feb 02, 2015 03:41am
Why media is glorifying COAS? He has nothing to do with matters other than military. Remembers Kargil, East Pakistan and 3 Martial Laws. Wake up civilians!!!
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Feb 02, 2015 04:10am
@ishrat salim Your right its not only about Hockey and Cricket. Goverment needs to invest more in Football, Boxing, Basketball, Gymnastics and Martial Arts (MMA). Pakistan has so much talent but no investment in any other sports in the International standards. Bloodshed and Gun violence could only stop if their were activities for the community and jobs, etc..
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Feb 02, 2015 04:14am
This is really the right step, as the nation has to channel its energy in the positive direction. Sports provides that opportunity to the young man and women. I still remember that in 80's that there were far more grounds, stadiums and other open places where everybody used to spent the evening enjoying having football, cricket or volley ball.
These activities would bring positive thought and a sense of competition in the right direction would weaken the base of the rise in militancy and terrorism.
This shows the vision of the great leader, great general who is addressing the core of the issue. We need such decisions from incumbent leaders in office, however military leadership has provided much deeper vision to eradicate the problems then the shallow and hollowed thoughts and slogans of so called political leaders.
Bravo...
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Feb 02, 2015 04:25am
What about the countries lost glory
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Feb 02, 2015 04:26am
Thank you Gen!! You are a true patriot!!
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Feb 02, 2015 04:27am
He should worry about the performance of his Army so that in future they should not surrender to the enemy as they did before.
Let civilians worry about the game of hockey, which Pakistan played so admirably before.
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Feb 02, 2015 05:53am
Is he army chief or superman president, prime minister, Foreign , Finance minister all in one.
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Feb 02, 2015 06:12am
Let us be realistic. Pakistan was a power in hockey when very few countries played it seriously. Now that many others have taken it up, and have more resources to devote to it, Pakistan may win the occasional tournament as a fluke, but it is not going to be dominant ever again. I write this sorrowfully, because I am a devoted follower of Pakistan hockey. But I am also a realist.
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Feb 02, 2015 06:28am
@Whistle He is trying is best.
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