FIH President Ikram says ‘talented’ Pakistan needs to be ‘supported’

The national side won bronze medal during the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2022

By Web Desk
November 16, 2022
Tayyab Ikram speaks during a press conference — AHF

LAHORE: FIH President Tayyab Ikram believes that there is a lot of hockey talent in Pakistan but it needs to be nurtured properly in order to make world-class players.

While speaking at the Olympic House in Lahore on Wednesday, Ikram said that the local authorities must support hockey in Pakistan.

“We need to support Pakistan hockey. There is lots of talent in Pakistan,” said Ikram. “I want to appeal to local authorities to come forward for the betterment of the game.”

“Pakistan Army and WAPDA can play a positive role in the revival of hockey in Pakistan,” he added.

He also thanked the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) for organising a ceremony to celebrate his selection as President of the International Hockey Federation.

It must be noted that Ikram was elected as the new FIH chief by the congress on November 5.

“Of the 126 votes submitted by the member National Associations, Tayyab Ikram attained the required absolute majority of more than half the votes, receiving 79 votes to the 47 given to Marc Coudron (BEL),” the FIH said in a press release.

“The duration of the term of the new FIH President will be of two years in order to complete the mandate of previous FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra who resigned on 18 July,” it added.

The Pakistan hockey team, which has struggled to do well in international events over the past few years, was successful in improving its rankings after bagging a bronze medal during the recently-concluded Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia.

In the FIH men’s rankings, Pakistan moved up one position to 17th at the expense of Japan, who they defeated 5-3 in the bronze medal match, who slip down one place to 18th.

Pakistan’s next assignment is the FIH Nations Cup in South Africa, which starts later this month, however the Pakistan Hockey Federation requires funds to participate in the event.

The FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup will take place at the North-West University of Potchefstroom from November 28 to December 4 2022.

Pakistan are placed in Pool A alongside France, Ireland and hosts South Africa. Meanwhile, Canada, Japan, Korea and Malaysia are part of Pool B.

Top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semi-finals of the event.

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