Pakistan: Rabo Bank trophy win: Hockey players gets 13.5m prize from PM
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| Pakistan |
August 28, 2005 
PakTribune.com, Pakistan
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Appreciating the success of Pakistan Hockey team in eight nations Rabo Bank Hockey tournament, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Sunday announced 13.5 million prize for the national side saying the victory by the team has registered a new chapter in the history of Pakistan's sports.
There is tremendous talent not only in cricket, hockey, squash but all other sports in the country and the need only is to discover and later groom these youngsters who will not only become a national hero but will also be ambassadors of the country, he observed this while talking to the Pakistan Hockey Team which met him here at the prime minister house.
Federal Minister for Sports and Culture Mohammad Ajmal Khan, State Minister for Sports and Culture Mohammad Ali Durrani, Director Pakistan Sports Board Brigadier Arif Mahmmod Siddiqui and other high ups of Pakistan Hockey Federation were also present on the occasion.
The prime minister stressed the need of discovering new talents in every sports saying government will provide every opportunity to these youngsters to prove their skills.
In order to further promote hockey, which is national sport of Pakistan, the prime minister announced that news Astroturf pitches will be laid all over the country.
He also urged upon provincial as well as district governments to utilize the 2 percent budget allocations for sports in the right manner in order to promote healthy activities in the country.
He also urged upon private sector to play its part in promoting sports in the country where sportsmen should be provided state of the art facilities.
The prime minister appreciating the good work of Pakistan Hockey team goalkeeper Salman Akbar and forward Rehan Butt, e said the entire nation knows what both of you are capable off and hopes that you will continue the good work in future.
He also directed Tariq Kirmani, president Pakistan Hockey Federation and PIA to take more steps for promotion of the sport in the country.
The prime minister later on gave away prize of five lack each to 27 member national hockey team.
The hockey team also apprised the prime minister about the problems they are facing at the domestic level. Hockey team captain Mohammad Saqlain, Chief Coach Asif Bajwa, Assistant Coach Shahbaz Junior and other senior players apprised the PM about the promotion problems in the departments where they have working for last 11 years.
Team captain Mohammad Saqlain apprised the PM that he has been working with Allied Bank for last 11 years but he has never got a promotion.
The prime minister took serious note of this issue and directed concerned staff to take up the matter with the departments these players and officials have been working with.
It merits mentioning here that Pakistan Hockey team won a major tournament after a gap of 11 years. The last time national hockey team won a major tournament was in 1994 when under Shahbaz senior the national side lifted World Cup in Sydney Australia.
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