KARACHI: At a time when lot of hue and cry is going on regarding possible closure of sports departments in commercial organisations, Pakistan army sports directorate has embarked upon a talent hunt programme with an eye on the future.

This came to fore when director sports of army, Brig Zaheer Akhtar for the first time paid a visit to the Gulshan-e-Iqbal’s Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) Olympian Hanif Khan and Dr. Junaid Ali Shah Hockey Stadium the other day and watched young boys and girls in action.

It is pertinent to mention that army’s contribution to country’s sports is unparalleled as its athletes have won numerous laurels since independence besides keeping its stranglehold on the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy of the National Game.

Addressing the players the army sports chief disclosed salient features of the programme which includes providing education in addition to sharpening their skills and paying stipends.

Brig Zaheer emphasised upon the players to work hard and urged them to set goals of representing the country internationally.

To be conducted nationwide in all disciplines, it will have a special focus on hockey because of its deteriorating standards.

Elaborating about the programme he said it envisaged two categories — 12 to 16 years educate and train a child to become a player and 17 to 22 years select player to play for department.

He presented Rs50,000 apiece for disbursement among boys and girls.

Former Olympian Hanif Khan and secretary KHA Syed Haider Hussain briefed the army sports chief about the activities that they have conducted during the last three years.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2019