World XI tour ‘a game changer’ for Pakistan hockey: President PHF

LAHORE, Jan 20 (APP):President, Pakistan Hockey Federation,
Brig retd Khlid Sajjad Khokhar has said that World hockey XI
tour to Pakistan will be ‘a game changer’ for ensuring the return
of international hockey to Pakistan.
“World XI tour will serve as ‘trust building measure’ to
inspire the other hockey playing nations to give consideration to
visit Pakistan in near future besides playing its part in making
the inaugural edition of Pakistan hockey league a success”,he
told APP in an exclusive interview here on Saturday.
PHF Chief said the tour of World XI will give a positive message
to the world that Pakistan is a safe country to hold top hockey
events.
“Our hockey suffered badly during over the past two decades
as major international hockey did not take place in our country and
no top hockey team visited us but the tour of the world xi has produced
a ray of hope to re-start our hockey journey for regaining the lost
glory”,he said.
He termed the visit of World XI a step forward for the bringing
back international hockey to Pakistan and to re-organise the national
sport with renewed zeal and zest.
He said the presence of world known players in Pakistan will help
in enhancing the image of the country. He expressed his gratitude to
the foreign players for visiting Pakistan for joining hands with PHF
for the resumption of international hockey.
President PHF said it is a big honour for the country that top international hockey players are part of the World XI and their
presence in Pakistan is a trust building measure for Pakistan hockey as well as for other foreign hockey nations and players.
He said the World XI tour is a history making moment in Pakistan
as it has enhanced the image of the country besides adding to its
prestige and respect.
Brig retd Khalid Sajjad said it is a heartening sign that world XI
is playing in Pakistan and it will go a long way in the revival of the
game besides organizing the Pakistan hockey league on new lines in coming months.
“Our dark nights of hockey are finally over, after the tour of world
xi we will be starting our preparations for launching our hockey league and there will be no looking back as far as resumption of international hockey is concerned”, he said.
President PHF said it is imperative for Pakistan hockey to organise international events on regular basis in the country to show to the
outer world that people of Pakistan are peace and sports loving.
“The future of our hockey also depends on participation in elite
hockey events as it will be a big way of learning for our junior players and with the start of our hockey league we will be able to find new
hockey talent to expand the base of the game and to put hockey at the
road of progress to re-start our journey for achieving excellence in
the game”,he said.