LAHORE, Nov 27 The national hockey team was accorded heroes' welcome when it landed at the Allama Iqbal International Airport here on Saturday night after grabbing gold medal in the Asian Games at Guangzhou.

The champions were garlanded, showered with rose-petals and the hundreds of fans that were gathered escorted the players out of the airport on their shoulders.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Qasim Zia and secretary Asif Bajwa along with other officials received the squad at the airport.

Talking to the media, captain Zeeshan Ashraf said the title would usher in an era of success for Pakistan hockey.

He also thanked the nation for according such a warm welcome.

Zeeshan urged various organisations to sponsor hockey in Pakistan in order to encourage players.

PHF secretary Bajwa said their next target was 2012 Olympics and 2014 World Cup. He congratulated the whole nation.

Goalkeeper Salman Akbar dedicated his gold medal to the victims of the recent floods in the country.—APP