We will not let our nation down. There will be good news for them: Qasim Zia.—Photo by APP

ISLAMABAD Pakistan's hockey chief claims that the country's national game is gradually regaining its roots among the masses.

'We are moving in the right direction and I am confident that with the current pace of development in hockey, Pakistan will reach the podium of 2012 London Olympics and we will revive our lost glory,' said Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Qasim Zia on Saturday.

'We now have a far better ranking in Asia and the current success stint will continue further,' he said.

Pakistan climbed two points on the International Hockey Federation (FIH) ranking table, too, after displaying good performance at the Asia Cup and is now ranked at No 6 in the world.

Commenting on Pakistan Olympic Association's president Gen (r) Arif Hasan's having categorically said that hockey alone was the only medal hope for Pakistan in the 2012 London Olympics, he said 'We will not let our nation down. There will be good news for them.'
 
'We have enough time to prepare for the mega event. The ongoing junior development programmes, too, are being planned with an aim to clinch a medal in the London Olympics.'

The Under-18 Junior Hockey Super League, he said, was a successful initiative to expose new talent to a modern scientific-based hockey.

The federation's president pointed out 'Around 200 players from every centre of the federation turned up for the trials held for this league, a very encouraging sign for the development of the game.'

The Super League is scheduled to be held from Sept 1 while 10 regional teams would be testing their mettle at the Hockey Club of Pakistan, Karachi.

'We are aware that the game today is being played on modern scientific lines so the federation hired the services of Dutch coach Wouter Tazelaar in view of the current sports spectrum,' said the former Olympian.
 
When asked whether the federation would like to also hire the services of a foreign team, including a coach, physio and trainer, he said 'We will do any thing to excel in the game and are aware of the modern needs of the national squad.'