KARACHI, Dec 11: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will be holding condolence meetings and Quran Khawani for the departed soul of Brig (retd) Manzoor Hussain Atif at three centres — Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

According to PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa, the first meeting will be held today (Friday) at the Hockey Club of Pakistan (HCP) Stadium, Karachi, at 3.00pm. Quran Khawani will be followed by reference at 4.00pm, to be chaired by chief selector Hasan Sardar.

The second reference will be held at the National Hockey Stadium Lahore on Saturday (Dec 13) at 11.00am, to be chaired by PHF President Qasim Zia.

The third reference to be held at Rawalpindi at 3.00pm will also have both Qasim Zia and Asif Bajwa present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Asif Bajwa has said that Brig Atif’s death is a big loss for hockey. He devoted his entire life to the game, while making sure that Pakistan stayed on top. He would be remembered forever and his name will be written in golden words in Pakistan hockey’s history.

Officials from the international hockey circle too have condoled Brig Atif’s passing away. Among the several messages received by the PHF, Secretary International Hockey Federation (FIH) Peter Cohen, FIH Vice President Annabel Dillon, European Hockey Federation (EHF) President Martin Gotheridge and Secretary EHF David Balbirnie have expressed their deep sense of grief at the loss.—Agencies