KARACHI: The Sindh Hockey Association (SHA) has distributed free hockey sticks and balls among players from nine districts of the province. The ceremony was held at Board Stadium, Latifabad No. 6, under the auspices of the District Hockey Association Hyderabad to promote hockey at the grassroots level.
During the event, hockey equipment was distributed among players representing Hyderabad, Sukkur, Dadu, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Khairpur and Karachi. According to an SHA spokesperson, it is the first time in the province’s history that hockey equipment has been distributed to district-level players on such a large scale.
The chief guest of the ceremony was MNA Syeda Shehla Raza, who is also President of the Sindh Women Hockey Wing. Guests of honour included Mayor Hyderabad Kashif Ali Shoro, Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Zain-ul-Abideen Memon, Senior Vice President Sindh Hockey Association Syed Imtiaz Ali Shah, and former Secretary General Pakistan Hockey Federation Syed Haider Hussain.
Shehla said, “Collective and practical steps are essential to regain Pakistan’s lost status in world hockey. Building a strong foundation at the grassroots level is the need of the hour.”
Mayor Hyderabad Kashif Ali Shoro announced that the All Sindh Mayor Hyderabad Hockey Championship would be organised soon, promising a memorable and high-standard event. He said all possible measures would be taken for the replacement of the AstroTurf.
Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Zain-ul-Abideen Memon assured that issues related to the ground would be resolved on a priority basis. Senior Vice President Sindh Hockey Association Syed Imtiaz Ali Shah suggested that the AstroTurf at Hyderabad Public School should be opened for local players to provide better training facilities.
Former Secretary General PHF Syed Haider Hussain appreciated the efforts of DHA Hyderabad Secretary Rizwan Tanveer for bringing talent to the forefront despite limited resources and poor ground conditions.
