Nishan-e-Haider Hockey Tournament to promote the national game:PHF

Bahawalpur: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has said Nishan-e-Haider Hockey Tournament is a part of Federation’s efforts to promote the national game.

In his message at the eve of the Tournament commencing in the city on April 20, the PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid Ali said the Federation was committed to revamp the structure of the game in the country by organizing national level tournaments in all parts of the country.

“The new management of PHF successfully organized First Brig (R) Manzoor Hussain Atif Memorial Tournament in Sargodha last month and the Nishan-e-Haider Hockey Tournament is the continuity of Federation’s efforts to promote the game at the grassroots level”, the PHF secretary said. He hoped that the tournament would help the Federation to spot future talent. Rana informed that the PHF will soon organize a national level tournament in Quetta which would elevate the softer image of the Balochistan province.

BAHAWALPUR: Ten departmental teams will participate in the 9^th Nishan-e-Haider Hockey Tournament that will commence at the Astroturf of the Dring Stadium here on Sunday. Defending champion Army will open its campaign against Navy to defend their title in the opening match of the Tournament.

Announcing the draws of the Tournament the Organizing Secretary Riaz Mehr said that Olympians and internationals belonging to various departments were participating in the Tournament and hoped that the people of Bahawalpur would watch exciting matches during the ten day Tournament. Riaz Mehr said excellent arrangements have been made for the holding of the Tournament and hoped that the participating teams would enjoy hospitality of the city. The organizing secretary thanked Pakistan Hockey federation for providing technical support for the Tournament and also praised the local administration for extending full cooperation for successful holding of the Event.

The teams have been divided into two groups. Army has fielded two teams in the tournament that will end on 30^th April. All matches will be played in floodlight.

POOL-A: NBP, Army (Red), Port Qasim Authority, Pakistan Steel mills, Railways.

POOL-B: PIA, WAPDA, Navy, Police and Army (White).