KPK Sports Minister gives 0.2 million to ailing Hockey Olympian

PESHAWAR: Adviser to the Chief Minister on Sports Tourism and Archeology Amjad Khan Afridi visited ailing former hockey Olympian Qazi Salahuddin residence here and handed him a checque of Rs. 0.2 million on Tuesday.

Amjad Khan Afridi remained there for some time with the former hockey Olympian and enquired after his health. He also extended his good wishes on behalf of the Chief Minister KP Pervez Khattak and legendary cricketer Imran Khan for his early recovery.

Speaking on this occasion Amjad Khan who was accompanied with newly appointed Director General Aimal Shah and Director Development Arshad Hussain said that all out efforts have been taken for the promotion of sports in the province.

He assured that lying of turfs would ensure to different districts in order to enhance hockey activities. He said Imran Khan clearly instructed us to expedite sports activities. Qazi Salahuddin who retired from PAF represented Pakistan in the 1968 Mexico Olympic where Pakistan won gold medal.

Qazi Salahuddin on this occasion discussed ways and means for the promotion of hockey in KP. He said there is no dearth of talent and if proper steps would be taken for the promotion of hockey in particular and other games in general.

Qazi Salahuddin recalled that when he was in the school he played against the national team that indicated the talent we have. He said non-availability of playing turf was somehow a reason of the down fall of hockey in KP and the rest of Pakistan.

Qazi Salahuddin suggested the Minister to involve schools the best sources for of hockey and other games in particular. He requested the Minister for laying artificial turf in Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat, Swat, Mardan and Buner where great talent of hockey existed.

Qazi Salahuddin when recalled the old glories of the game said that Tariq Aziz was the flag bearer in the 1968 Mexico Olympic where 20 members contingent Pakistan only participated in two games hockey and wrestling.

Qazi Salahuddin was a former Pakistani Olympian in field hockey player from Pakistan. He played for Pakistan s National Field Hockey Team from 1967 69. He was part of Pakistan National Team in 1968 Summer Olympics where Pakistan team took the Gold medal after defeated Australia in the final by 2-1 in Mexico City Mexico. Pakistan competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City Mexico. The only medal won was a gold medal in men’s field hockey.

The contingent included only 20 sports persons --- 18 hockey players and two wrestlers. Pakistan took part in only two disciplines at the Olympiad.
Qazi Salahudin said that the team placed in the group B defeated Netherlands (6-0), France (1 0) Australia (3 2) Argentina (5 0) Great Britain (2 1) Malaysia (4 0) Kenya (2 1) and West Germany (1 0) after extra time while outclassed Australia (2 1) for the gold medal.

The team comprising Tariq Aziz (captain) Mohammad Asad Malik (vice captain) Zakir Hussain (gk) Qazi Salahuddin (gk) Tanvir Dar Riazuddin Saeed Anwar Riaz Ahmed Gulraiz Akhtar Fazalur Rehman Anwar Shah Khalid Mahmood Mohammad Ashfaq Abdul Rasheed Jr Jahangir Butt Farooq Khan Laeeq Ahmed Tariq Niazi.

The choice of Mexico City to host the 1968 Olympics was a controversial one because of the city s high altitude 2 300m which meant that the air contained 30% less oxygen than at sea level but team gave stunning performance.

He said 112 nations of the world took part including 5,516 athletes (781 women 4.735 men) in 172 events. The top three winners were United States of America USSR and Japan. (APP)