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KARACHI, Nov 28 (APP): Sindh’s men’s and women’s hockey teams have been finalized as the province gears up for the National Games returning to Karachi after 18 years, set to take place from December 6 to 13.
Sindh Hockey Association Secretary Akbar Qaimkhani on Friday announced that international player Azlan Khan would serve as head coach of the men’s team, while international Muhammad Naeem has been appointed coach of the women’s side.
Open trials were held in October at the KHA Sports Complex, drawing players from across the province. The selection committee was chaired by Olympian Iftikhar Syed and included other Olympians and divisional representatives.
Barrister Murtaza Wahab, President of the Sindh Hockey Association, and MNA Syeda Shehla Raza, President of the KHA Women’s Wing, attended the trials and monitored the proceedings. Sindh Olympic Association Secretary General Ahmed Ali Rajput and his team also reviewed the sessions. The Sindh Sports Board was represented by District Sports Officer East, Syed Ismail Shah.
Selected players have been instructed to report at the KHA Complex in Gulshan-e-Iqbal to Secretary Akbar Ali Qaimkhani and Coordinator Dr. Majid.
Shahzaib Khan from Karachi will lead the men’s team, with Ubaidullah Bhutto of Larkana as vice-captain. The squad includes players from Sukkur, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas, and Dadu.
The women’s team will be captained by Karachi’s Iqra Iqbal, while Shafaat Zahra from Shaheed Benazirabad will serve as vice-captain. The lineup features representation from Sukkur, Hyderabad, Larkana, and Mirpurkhas.
Shafqat Hussain has been appointed manager of the men’s team, while Dr. Qamar Raza will manage the women’s side. Both squads aim to deliver strong performances at Pakistan’s premier multi-sport event.
Selected men players included Abdullah Sheikh, Arsalan Khalid, Shahbaz Haider, Ali Abbas, Arbaz Ayaz, Hammad Ayaz, Haris Naseer, Arsalan Haider, Shahzeb Khan (captain), Azeem Anil, Daniyal Ali (Karachi); Obaidullah Bhutto (vice-captain, Larkana), Muhammad Arif (Sukkur), Mesum Abbas, Ahmed Nawaz, Hammad Rizwan (Hyderabad), Muhammad Usman, Nabil Ahmed (Shaheed Benazirabad), Amanullah (Mirpurkhas) and Tausiq Ahmed (Dadu).
Selected women players included Shazma Naseem, Iqra Iqbal (captain), Maheen Ali, Momal Sakina, Sundus Siddiqui, Reja Moeez, Saima Ghulam, Nida Anjum, Ayesha Mahmood, Rumaisa Khan (Karachi), Fiza Saleem, Shafaat Zahra (vice-captain), Asia Mehr (Shaheed Benazirabad), Maryam Tanio, Azra Batool, Subhana (Hyderabad); Rifat Fatima, Khizra (Larkana), Sardar Bibi, Subhana Taj and Aqsa (Mirpurkhas).