Top teams of country take part in CNC hockey: Commodore Naimatullah

Naimatullah says hockey is our national game but unfortunately Pakistan hockey is on the decline

LAHORE (APP) – Country’s top notch hockey teams will display their talent and technique in the second edition of Chief of Naval Staff All Pakistan Hockey Tournament being played here from October 1-7 at National hockey stadium.

This was stated by Station, Commodore Navy Lahore, Naimatullah at a news conference to highlight the salient features of the week-long event at the national hockey stadium on Friday. He said the event will supplement the ongoing efforts for the revival and uplift of the game.

He expressed his gratitude to the Sports Board Punjab and Pakistan Hockey Federation for holding this event. Naimatullah, Station Commander Navy Lahore, thanked the Pakistan Hockey Federation and Sports Board Punjab for their cooperation.

Giving details of the competition, Commodore Naimatullah said the participating teams include WAPDA, National Bank of Pakistan, Sui Southern Gas Company, Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines Ltd., Police, Port Qasim Authority, Pakistan Air force & Pakistan Navy. “The eight sides are divided into two pools. On the first four days, the pool matches will take place. After a rest day, the two semifinals will be played on October 6 with the final scheduled on October 7", said the Navy official.

“Sports are very dear to Pakistan Navy. Presently, Pakistan’s national teams in hockey and cricket both have representation from the Navy. Rashid Mahmood is a regular in the national hockey team since 2010 while Fakhar Zaman is a part of the cricket squad “,he maintained.

Commodore Naimatullah said hockey is our national game but unfortunately Pakistan hockey is on the decline for quite some time. “In this regard, Navy is trying to make its own little contribution for the revival. The first CNS Hockey Tournament was held at Karachi in 2016. Now, we are privileged to have the second edition at world’s biggest hockey stadium. The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi is a sports lover and he wishes the best to all the participating teams “,he asserted.

Tournament carries handsome prize money, with winner getting Rs five hundred thousand, runners up receiving three hundred thousand and third position holder walking away with Rs two hundred thousand. There are also individual prizes, Rs 50,000 for the Player of the Tournament while the Top Scorer and the Best Goal Keeper will get Rs 25,000 each.

For providing financial assistance , Commodore Naimatullah expressed gratitude to the sponsors who have supported Pakistan Navy for this tournament. These include PSO, HBL, Vivo Juice, KPT, National Bank of Pakistan, Netsol, Bahria University, Bahria Foundation, Berger Paints, Shezan Bakers, and Adam’s.