SALTA (Argentina), Dec 12 President, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Qasim Zia has said that the federation is making step by step progress towards the revival of the national sport which also requires government's financial assistance in order to have a broader base of the game.

“We have made significance progress for the revival and development of the game by taking drastic measures and we will continue our efforts with undying spirit to lift hockey out of present gloom,” he told newsmen here on Saturday.

“Government is always behind us to support hockey and we look forward to it for its continuous backing and if we have regular yearly basis financial assistance, we will be able to continue our development programmes to ensure a better future of hockey,” he said.

The former Olympian full back, known for his confidence and solid play, was of the view that they have started from scratch and are in process of forming a sound base of the game.

The PHF has taken a landmark decision and formed hockey academies across the country, besides forming Under-19 and Pakistan Whites teams.

“The task assigned to us is a challenging one but we are fully committed to revive the sagging fortunes of hockey and I am confident that in the next four years we will be among the top teams of the world,” he said.

PHF Chief said it was unfortunate that Pakistan team is playing in the qualifying rounds of elite hockey tournaments in a bid to regain its position among the top six teams of the world.

“The PHF has evolved a system to strengthen the institution by introducing reforms and recent scrutiny of clubs and elections of bodies across the country were a part of it to give control of the game at various levels to those individuals who are really keen and motivated to promote hockey,” Qasim added.

“Through scrutiny, which was conducted by former hockey Olympians, saw many bogus clubs getting eliminated. The PHF only recognised those clubs which are supplementing their efforts for the cause of hockey.”

Qasim said progress achieved by the present regime of PHF has started producing results and the Pakistan team is gradually blending into a combination that can beat any opponent. “If our team starts winning major tournaments it will put a new life into hockey and youth will be playing it the way they are taking interest in cricket.”

“Due to downfall of hockey in the past one decade, and with no major title victory to its credit, the interest among youth to take up hockey as a sport has diminished considerably. But the coming few years are very important for the future of hockey as we will have finished products from our hockey academies and the talent will be inducted in junior teams with ample choice available for selection”, disclosed the PHF boss.

He further disclosed that the PHF will soon announce a programme to keep engaged those players who attended the academies for three years and are ready to join college after passing their matric exam. “The PHF will form a wing in the national federation to monitor the activities of clubs,” he added.

Those clubs, districts or provincial bodies who would fail to contribute to the development of the game will have no association with the PHF or the game.—APP