Artisan of hockey Shahbaz Ahmed Senior termed the KP government decision of laying hockey turf at historical Islamia College would help promoting the national sport hockey. Talking to media, Shahbaz Senior said that no doubt Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and specially Peshawar is lot of talent of hockey and with laying of hockey turf in historical Islamia College and we could find educated hockey kids and certainly with education, the IQ level is different from that of non-educated and illiterate kids so it would help us to find out more talent.

He said more than 200 players on daily basis practicing hockey in Peshawar and we badly needed another turf on other place so that more kids could be facilitated with playing on turf. It is an ideal location and good for the kids as far as providing a conducive environment for the youngsters, he added. Senior Vice President, PHF Muhammad Saeed Khan and Secretary KP Hockey Association Syed Zahir Shah also lauded DG Sports KP Junaid Khan and provincial government for initiating such a vital step for the promotion of hockey. Muhammad Saeed Khan, a former Inspector General of Police, said that more talent would come up at national and international level.

"With laying of artificial turf would provide ample opportunities for the youngster of various colleges to utilize these facilities," Syed Zahir Shah added. Players like Olympian Rahim Khan, Mussadiq, former International Hockey umpires Asif Orakzai, and world panel umpire hockey umpire Faiz Muhammad Faizi, former Pakistan Wapda goal-keeper and President Peshawar District Hockey Association Haji Hidayat Ullah also appreciated the decision of laying the turf, the second will be in Peshawar after Lala Ayub Hockey Stadium.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2018