KARACHI: The Karachi Develop­ment Authority (KDA) will form a women’s hockey team alongside its men’s team in a move aimed at providing equal opportunities to womenfolk of the metropolis.

This was announced by the director general of KDA Samiuddin Siddiqui while speaking as the chief guest at the Defence Day of Pakistan exhibition hockey matches for men’s and women’s at the Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) Complex in Gulshan Iqbal on Thursday.

Acceding to the KHA secretary Syed Haider Hussain’s request, the DG KDA responded positively to set a precedent by offering contract to 16 women players soon amidst applause.

It is pertinent to mention that the KDA had re-launched its men’s hockey team about a year back. He had also raised players monthly emoluments from Rs 12,000 to Rs 20,000 recently.

Samiullah XI, Shehla Raza XI win Defence Day ties

The DG KDA also paid glowing tributes to the personnel of armed forces who had sacrificed their lives for the beloved motherland.

Meanwhile, inside right Shahzaib Khan’s hat-trick guided Samiullah XI to a fine win over Hanif Khan XI by 3-1 and win the men’s exhibition match.

Hunain Khalid slammed the consolation goal for the losers.

Asma Shah XI held Shehla Raza XI to a one-all draw in the women’s exhibition match.

Iqra Javed put Shehla Raza XI in front in the 17th minute while Ayesha Ali drew level for Asma Shah XI in the 17th minute.

The ceremony was attended among others by former Olympian Jahangir Butt, ex-international Jamil Ahmed Khan, KHA officials Gulfraz Khan, Dr S. A. Majid, Haider Hussain and Ehtisham Warsi.

The KHA has also named a selection committee to pick a women’s team for appointment in the KDA. To be headed by former noted Olympian Samiullah, the committee includes Hanif Khan, Haider Hussain and former Pakistan goal-keeper Beenish Mohammad Ali.

The date of the trials will be announced soon.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2018