TFD News
KARACHI: Sindh Police ended a 30-year title drought by clinching the Ramadan Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament, defeating defending champions Hanif Khan Eleven in a thrilling final.
Organized by the Karachi Hockey Association (KHA), the tournament was held at the Olympian Hanif Khan and Dr. Junaid Ali Shah Sports Complex in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. The final proved to be a gripping contest, filled with intense and exciting moments. The match ended 0-0 in regulation time, while even the penalty shootout failed to determine a winner, forcing the contest into sudden death, where Sindh Police ultimately emerged victorious.
The final was attended by prominent dignitaries including Member of National Assembly and Chairperson of KHA Women’s Wing Syeda Shehla Raza, Olympian Islahuddin (Co-Chairman, PHF Management Committee), Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Munawar Ali Maheser, former PHF Secretary General Haider Hussain, DIG Traffic and Chairman Sindh Police Sports Board Pir Muhammad Shah, along with hockey Olympians Kaleemullah, Iftikhar Syed, Hanif Khan, Ayaz Mahmood, Nasir Ali, and Wasim Feroz. Members of the Sindh Assembly from MQM Pakistan, Adil Askari and Moeed Anwar, international hockey players, and KHA officials were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Olympian Islahuddin termed the of a hockey tournament during the holy month of Ramadan a significant achievement by KHA Secretary Olympian Hanif Khan and Haider Hussain, emphasizing that the initiative aims to identify and nurture emerging talent at the grassroots level.
Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Munawar Ali Maheser praised the efforts of Haider Hussain and KHA, stating that their commitment to hockey revival is commendable. He added that if other hockey associations across the country adopt a similar approach, the revival of Pakistan hockey could be greatly accelerated.
Former PHF Secretary Haider Hussain highlighted that plans are underway to establish hockey academies in various districts of Sindh under the patronage of the Sindh Sports Department, noting that academies play a crucial role in the development and revival of the sport.
At the conclusion of the event, Syeda Shehla Raza, along with chief guest Munawar Ali Maheser and other dignitaries, presented the winning trophy to Sindh Police, while Hanif Khan Eleven received the runner-up trophy. On this occasion, DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah also announced a cash award of Rs. 200,000 for the winning team.
