KARACHI: A history of sorts was created when a private firm doled out remuneration of Rs3,70,000, first of a monthly one-year deal, to 18-member Karachi women’s hockey team and four officials here the other day.

The presentation was made by Islamabad-based Topcity-1 official in a ceremony held at the KHA Sports Complex. The ceremony was largely attended by Olympians, internationals, KHA officials and guests.

The sponsors have acceded to the request of KHA chairperson and GM women’s hockey Sindh Syeda Shehla Raza and inked a one-year MoU with KHA at the beginning of the year.

Under the agreement, the players will get stipend of Rs15,000 while Rs1,00,000 will be disbursed amongst officials on a monthly basis.

This is the first time that Karachi women’s hockey team have been sponsored by a private firm in the almost five-decade history of the game.

In addition to remuneration, the members of the team and officials will also get expensive sports gear.

The process was delayed due to open trials followed by final selection and camp under supervision of experts to hone their skills.

Team:

Goalkeepers: Shazma Naseem and Muntaha Arshad; Backs: Sualeha Malik, Huma Maya, Kashmala Batool and Tehrim Noshad; Halves: Ayesha Mahmood (V.Capt), Fariha Waseem, Iqra Iqbal, Romaisa Khan and Mehak Yaseen; Forwards: Sehrish Sabir, Batool Kazim, Rubab Fatima, Duaa Khan (Capt), Saima Ghulam, Muqaddas Rafiq and Maheen Ali.

Officials: M Khalid Jr (manager), Laiq Lashari (head coach), Samira Nasim (coach) and Imran Khan (physical trainer).

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2022