PHF chief to unveil hockey uplift plans on 28th

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LAHORE, Feb 17: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Tariq Kirmani said on Thursday he would unveil his plans for the uplift of the game in Karachi on Feb 28.

Mr Kirmani vowed the plan would emphasise on transparency, discipline and the promotion of the game.

"It does not matter if my decisions will make any one happy or sad," he told reporters after a meeting with former Olympians. The president said discipline would be maintained even if a star player was involved.

"Even a star player will face punishment if he will not follow the programme or instructions of the team management," he said. He said that there would be no politics in hockey during his tenure. Asked if he considered there was politics in hockey before he took over he said "I am not saying that but my stand is only for my tenure."

Mr Kirmani said any change in the PHF set up could be made due to the poor performance of the teams from now onward. He believed that the promotion of the game at school and college levels was very important and added that Olympians had opposed hiring foreign coaches for any team.

He said that former skipper Waseem Ahmad, who had announced his retirement along with Sohail Abbas soon after the Champions Trophy in Lahore last year, had expressed his willingness to withdraw the decision. He, however, said he had not talked with Sohail on the topic.

He assured PHF would extend support to ailing goalkeeper Mohammad Qasim. The goalie has been suffering from cancer and could not travel to the United States for the treatment since the embassy had not issued him visa.

Meanwhile, the PHF Council meeting will be held in Lahore on Friday. PHF secretary Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan would not attend the meeting as he has been hospitalized for the past couple of days.

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