PESHAWAR, April 24: Former Olympian and Secretary Faisalabad District Hockey Association, Rana Mujahid claimed that the victory of Pakistan at the Azlan Shah had boosted the morale, but said that the players had to do more hard work to restore the lost glory of the country in the game.

Speaking at “Meet the Press Program” arranged by the Sarhad Sports Writers Association (SSWA) at Peshawar Press Club on Thursday, he said that the incumbent hockey administration was committed to reshape the existing structure of the game completely in order to achieve the past glory.

He said that Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had devised new strategies aimed at imparting training facilities in coaching and umpiring to the players, who were interested and other technical staff to take advantage of their experience in future.

About the downfall of hockey in Pakistan, the former national player, who represented Pakistan in Olympics Games on two occasions acknowledged that politics and outside interference had led to decline and the players were unable to maintain their victory combination.

Mujahid urged Pakistan and India to resume sports activities and games should not be politicised at any cost.

Referring to Australia-New Zealand and Holland-Germany competitions, he said that these countries were sporting-rival but never abandon sports ties.