KARACHI: The Karachi Hockey Association’s (KHA’s) concerted efforts to revive the game in the metropolis bore fruitful results when activities were restored at the Pak Flag hockey ground in FB Area’s block 17.

An exhibition match between KHA Blues and Orange marked the revival of activities at the ground the other day.

The people residing in the vicinity have termed it a welcome step for the youth of adjoining areas.

According to KHA, activities of the game at the premises had come to a standstill due to encroachments and dumping of garbage some three decades back.

District Central Chairman Rehan Hashmi, who has played an active role in restoring hockey activities at the ground, graced the exhibition match at a simple ceremony.

The KHA officials, president Dr Junaid Ali Shah and secretary former international Syed Haider Hussain have thanked the district Central officials for taking interest in reviving the national game.

They hoped that the officials will help in getting the activities revived throughout their district particularly, at the Pak Wanders ground near Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and the KHA ground in front of Dr Ziauddin Hospital in North Nazimabad.

Meanwhile, the KHA has formed a committee comprising former players of the area namely M. Khalid Jr, who led Pakistan junior team at Milton Keynes Junior World Cup in 1997, full-back Shariq Rizvi and custodian Obaid to run the activities. Khalid has been appointed secretary of the club.

Meanwhile, work on the KHA Stadium in Gulshan Iqbal is in full swing and expected to be completed soon. The used astro turf of the Abdul Sattar Edhi Stadium has been laid.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2017