Summary Zaman said the green-shirts should take each and every match seriously.
ISLAMABAD (APP) – Former Olympian Tahir Zaman said Pakistan team should be focused on qualifying for the next year’s World Cup instead of particularly focusing on its clash against India on June 18 in the World Hockey League (WHL) semifinal.
Though Pakistan cricket team lost to India in the Champions Trophy clash, but both the traditional rivals will be seen in action on June 18 in the in Hockey World Cup qualifier in London.
Talking to APP, Zaman said the green-shirts should take each and every match seriously as last time our team failed to qualify for the World Cup.
“Though Pakistan did not play well in the series against Ireland but I am hopeful our team would do well in WHL semi final and would qualify for the World Cup,” he said.
He said Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is doing all-out efforts for the encouragement and promotion of the game.
“PHF has revived departments like Fauji Fertilizers and ZTBL who are providing jobs to the players,” he said.
He said in the past players were not provided with jobs therefore their passion for the game was lessening. “But now with the current management of PHF’s efforts the players are fully focusing on the game as they know they would be provided with jobs,” he said.
He said Pakistan Hockey League (PHL) is the need of the hour to groom and promote our players. “PHF will hopefully be organizing the league soon,” he said.
Speaking about the Pak-India clash on June 18, he said Pak-India matches, in hockey or in cricket are one of the most profit-making showdowns in the world of sports.
“It will be a game of nerves but I am optimistic that Pakistan would come out victorious in the match,” he said.
