KARACHI, July 9: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has planned launching a Hockey Development Programme in remote and neglected areas of Balochistan.

Under this programme 500 hockey sticks and 500 kits would be provided free of cost to the youths of 12 districts of the province, PPI learnt.

According to the details PHF has identified 12 Districts of Balochistan where a lot of work is to be done for the promotion of hockey among the younger generation.

In this regard a month long plan has been designed which would be launched from July 15th, 2002.

It has been decided that PHF in collaboration with adhoc Committee of Balochistan Hockey Association (BHA), Balochistan Sports Board and district governments, would launch the programme.

The hockey sticks and Kits would be provided to the needy, enthusiastic up-coming young players of genuine hockey clubs, school and college students to promote the national game in the region.

During the first phase, hockey sticks and kits would be distributed and then BSB will organize coaching clinics in each district and appoint its Sports officers to look after the matters.

PHF would send its own coaches to train the youngsters in next phase when a hockey culture would develop.

Besides a series of local hockey tournaments would be organized in these districts to provide competition opportunities to the young players of the regions.

Only Quetta city in Balochistan, hockey has strong foundation while in other districts the national game is totally neglected.

Restructuring of hockey clubs in these districts were also the part of Hockey Development Programme in Balochistan.

PHF has created an administrative post in this regard for the promotion of the game in the neglected areas of Sindh and Balochistan which is called Director Domestic Hockey Southern Zone (Sindh- Balochistan) who will look after the development work of hockey in the remote areas of these province on honorary basis.

Former international Muhammad Shafiq has been appointed as Director Domestic Hockey Southern Zone. Muhammad Shafiq played for Pakistan as left half during 1976 to 1980s.

The Districts where the Hockey Development Programme would be launched are Turbat, Lorali, Nasserbabad, Chagi, Mustung, Zhob, Pushin, Dhadar, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Qalat, Dera Murad Jamali.

—PPI