PESHAWAR, Feb 13: The NWFP Hockey Association (NWFPHA) has extended all out support to Afghanistan to develop the game in the war-ravaged country. “The recent tour of the Afghanistan hockey team to the Frontier province would not only boost up the game of hockey but would also further promote the bilateral ties between the two brotherly countries,” said Malik Mohammad Saad Khan, president NWFPHA.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony of hockey sticks, shoes, balls and kits to the Afghanistan hockey team on Monday, Saad said that the association had provided opportunities of playing against the district teams of the province.

He assured that NWFPHA would extend further cooperation to Afghanistan and said that they could take advantage of the facilities in the Frontier province.

President Afghanistan Hockey Federation, Rehmatullah Nooristani on the occasion lauded the efforts of the NWFPHA for the development of sports in his country.

He also extended invitation to the Peshawar District Hockey Association to visit Afghanistan.

Zahid Ali, Development Officer for Central Asia on behalf of the FIH said that Afghanistan hockey team was in the process of development and the tour to the NWFP would prove landmark in the revival of the game.

Ali said that the Afghan players were enthusiastic about earning name in the international hockey.

He said that the visiting team had played seven matches against the district level club which had added immensely to their experience.

He disclosed that very soon the Tajikistan hockey team would be invited to play matches against the district clubs in NWFP.