KARACHI: While approving a Rs100 million recurring grant for the Pakistan Hockey Federation to promote the game across the province, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murah Ali Shah on Monday announced to revamp the Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium.

The chief minister said this while talking to a PHF delegation led by its president retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar who called on him here at the CM House.

Those who were present in the meeting included PHF vice-president Tariq Huda, secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Senior, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Finance Secretary Hassan Naqvi, Sports Secretary Chief Engineer of Karachi Cantonment Board Zohaib Mujahid Bukhari and Chief Engineer Sports Department Aslam Maher.

The chief minister expressed his keenness to revive field hockey, once Pakistan’s source of glory in international sports arena.

Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium to be renovated

“I would extend you all-out support — whatever you need — but [on your part] you have to activate the clubs across the province, and start international hockey in the [Karachi] city,” the CM told the PHF delegation.

“There should be bylaws of the clubs to be governed by the PHF. If clubs are run on professional lines we will be able to develop world-class players. The game of hockey, like cricket, needs to be made commercial. [In this regard] I would help and support you,” the CM assured the federation.

Speaking on the occasion, the PHF president said the federation has been facing financial problems while regretting the dilapidated condition of the Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium — previously Hockey Club of Pakistan — which over the years has hosted world’s top hockey events.

“The PHF needs a sub­sta­ntial annual grant to con­tinue its operation across the Sindh province,” Khalid said.

While approving the Rs100 million annual grant to the PHF, the chief minister directed the finance secretary to release Rs3.5 million within three days and also assured the PHF chief that the provincial government would also revamp the Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium.

In this regard, the CM directed the chief engineer sports to start the survey of the stadium.

It was also decided during the meeting that an international hockey event would be organised in Karachi on Jan 10, 2018 featuring international players from the Hall of Fame.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2017