February 25, 2024:
The Dutch hockey club, OHC Bully, returned home today after a successful two-week tour of Pakistan. The team played three matches against the HEC team, winning two of the matches out of three. The tour was the first by a European hockey team to Pakistan in 22 years. It is seen as a major boost for the development of hockey in Pakistan, which is the country’s national sport.
Mr. Javed Ali Memon, Director Sports, Higher Education Commission, Pakistan (HEC) said that the Dutch Hockey Club visit to Pakistan is considered as a ray of hope towards revival of our National game. According to him, the HEC team will also visit the Netherlands in August this year. He further said that Pakistan is a peaceful country and a nation that loves hockey. “The Dutch hockey club visit to Pakistan has brought out the soft image of the country and thus paved the way for the arrival of more foreign teams to Pakistan”, he added.
He informed that the Dutch team was warmly welcomed in Pakistan. They were treated as guests of honor upon their arrival in Lahore and Islamabad, and they were hosted by the Governor of the Punjab, Inspector General Punjab, Chairman HEC, and other dignitaries.
Director Sports, HEC gave all the credit for the successful visit of the Dutch hockey team to Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman HEC, Olympian Khawaja Junaid, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Junaid Chatha, and Vice Chairman Masood-ur-Rahman of Khawaja Junaid Hockey Academy respectively.
He said that the series of three matches was only possible due to the personal interest of Chairman HEC Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed as he is eager to see all the sports of Pakistan, especially the national game, at its glorious height. He was of the views that Olympian Khawaja Junaid and his team with the support of Chairman HEC has done exemplary work with passion and dedication, further reinforcing the impression that if done with good intentions and honesty, the national game can be revived speedily. Mr. Javed Ali Memon, while appreciating the services of International Hockey Player and Director Sports, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology Karachi, Mr. Mubasher Mukhtar said that he has left no stone unturned in the hospitality of the Dutch club team.
He emphasized that HEC is playing a pivotal role in the development of sports due to which many young athletes are emerging, and they have the opportunity to represent Pakistan at the national and international level. Likewise, the best performers of the Talent Hunt Youth Sports League got to learn a lot from the hockey matches against the Dutch club. The experience gained by playing against the international team will help these young players to sharpen their skills. He further said that more such activities are in the pipeline and we are tirelessly working on improving sports ecosystem in the Country. In the end, the Director Sports, HEC appreciated the positive role of the Dutch Embassy Islamabad and all stakeholders for making this series, a huge success.
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