LAHORE, Aug 7: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) unveiled the programme for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Brig Manzoor Hussain Atif who was replaced by the present officials three and half years ago after being removed as secretary.

Although Atif has served the game well, his 50 years in the sport are being celebrated by the very same set of officials who took the charge after he was removed as the secretary of the PHF in the year 2000.

The current PHF management has also repeatedly claimed that it were the previous managements that ruined hockey. Interestingly, Atif was also a part of the previous managements as he held the office of secretary from 1978 to 1989 and then in 2000 before being removed.

The celebrations are also being held for another former Olympian Col Zafar Ali Khan, who quit as manager after a dismal season last year.

PHF secretary Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan said that major programme would a match between Pakistan Eleven and World Eleven at the National Hockey Stadium on Dec 7.

The World Eleven will consists of players from Germany, the Netherlands, India, South Korea, Australia and Malaysia.

The selection of players for the World Eleven had been finalised but the confirmation about their availability would be sought later, he said.

The launching of a book titled “Atif The Living Legend of Hockey” will be held on Dec 6 followed by “tajposhi” and musical evening at Alhamra Cultural Complex, Gaddafi Stadium.

The secretary PHF said he could not predict the exact amount the federation would earn through this celebrations and added the total amount of income would be divided between M. H. Atif and Zafar Ali by themselves.

Committees to organise the celebrations are also formed. The cultural committee will be led by Zahid Bashir, protocol committee by Pervaiz Bhindara, book launching committee Akhtar Rasool, match committee Col Khalid Masood Tikka (retd) and media committee Shahid Sheikh. Zafar by himself is the organising secretary.

PHF has chalked out a plan for the benefit of the senior players by organizing inter-district tournament annually.

The PHF secretary said there were hundreds of international players who deserved financial support and this programme would help them to some extent.

He said the families of late Olympians, Noor Alam, Qazi Mohib and many others deserved support from PHF. He said every year a district tournament would organized and the income would go to deserving senior players of that district.

Meanwhile, the 76th meeting of PHF council will be held here on Aug 11 at 10.00am.