KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) inducted twelve living legends into the Hall of Fame at an impressive ceremony held at the Hotel Movenpick here on Thursday evening.

The recipients — six foreigners and as many Pakistanis — were presented jackets and mementos by the PHF President retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar who was flanked by the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

The foreigners who were honoured in Pakistan’s first ever Hall of Fame include Paul Litjens, Floris Jan Bovelander and Rob Lathouwers (Neth­er­lands), Christian Blunk (Germany), Juan Escarre (Spain) and Don Prior (Australia).

Pakistan’s legendary players to get the honour include Islahuddin Siddiqui, Shahnaz Shaikh, Akhtar Rasool, Samiullah, Hasan Sardar and Shahbaz Ahmed Senior.

The ceremony lasted for about two hours and was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, members of the World XI, Pakistan under-18 team, former Olympians, sponsors and journalists. A short documentary highlighting Pakistan’s glorious past was also shown on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Sindh Chief Minister termed the occasion as a wonderful evening and hoped this will pave the way in reviving the golden era of the game.

He recalled that there was a time that people used to be glued to their seats to watch or listen to the radio commentary whenever Pakistan-India or other hockey matches took place in the yesteryears. “The ceremony is a testament to the fact that hockey is coming back to Pakistan,” he remarked.

Welcoming the foreign hockey legends, the CM hoped they will carry happy memories with them from here and portray a positive image of Pakistan around the world. He assured the PHF chief of full support, be it financial or organisational, towards launching a hockey league in Sindh.

Murad said he takes pride that Sindh has 11 astro turfs which no other province have. He also advised the under-18 players to carry the legacy with their hard work. The PHF chief, in his speech, said Pakistan had a glorious past and shining future in the game. “The Hall of Fame has been staged to recognise the exploits of the legendary players,” he said.

Khokhar regretted that security concerns had created a vaccum and the youth could not inherit the game from their seniors. He thanked the Sindh chief minister for his generous help in the revival of the game.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2018