KARACHI, Aug 1: Former Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Brig M. H. Atif (retd) Thursday took a swipe at present hockey chiefs, saying formation of 44 junior players pool was all they had done at youth level during the last two years.

Pakistan hockey chiefs must emphasize on raising a formidable junior squad which, until now, had been neglected, Atif said while speaking at a ceremony hosted by Brotherhood Sports Society of Pakistan to award gold medals to five hockey legends.

He underscored the need to have a junior squad for the future mega events like the junior World Cup.

Atif, recently awarded honorary life membership of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), was critical of the hockey affairs being run by the PHF.

To give an example, he said the national squad that won the silver at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 wept, while the present PHF hierarchy felt satisfied on finishing fifth at the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

The five hockey greats who were presented the gold medals were, Anwar Ahmad Khan, Abdul Waheed Khan, Khalid Mahmood, Samiullah Khan, Islahuddin Siddiqi.