Prime Minister Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif has nominated former hockey player and manager Brig (rtd) Mohammad Khalid S Khokhar as the president PHF
By; Asghar Ali Mubarak
The Patron-in-Chief of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Prime Minister Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif has nominated former hockey player and manager Brig (rtd) Mohammad Khalid S Khokhar as the president PHF.
Brig (rtd) Khalid has a celebrated hockey career as a player and as an official who served in different capacities with the national team.
The PHF president (nominated) was a player and captain of the Pakistan Army team from 1973-84. In the company of former greats Manzoor ul Hasan and Munawar Zaman he emerged as the highest goal scorer in three consecutive National Hockey Championships (1980-82). For his extraordinary performance he was also selected amongst the national team probable. However, due to his pressing professional commitments he was unable to represent the country that was served well by stalwarts like Manzoor and Munawar at full back position. In company of former greats Rasheed Junior, Akhtar Rasool and Sami Ullah Khan he attended the national camps on numerous occasions.
Brig (rtd) Khalid Khokhar was the first hockey official ever to have raised the voice for third umpire when he was the manager of the national team during 2002 World Cup held in Kuala Lumpur. The need arose when Pakistan was robbed of certain goal-scoring opportunities against Germany.
Brig (rtd) Khokhar managed national team for around three years. During his era as the manager, Pakistan has the honour of winning seven-nation hockey tournament in company of Holland, Australia and Great Britain.
He also served as national selector and was appointed as chairman PHF Disciplinary Committee.
Besides his services for the game of hockey, he also served as Director General Army Sports Board where he contributed in streamlining Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) affairs from 2000-2003. His contribution to the game of tennis has been second to none.
Brig (rtd) Khalid S. Khokhar is a respected figure and a well reputed administrator who served in numerous capacities with dignity and honour.
At a time when the game of hockey is facing crises situation, his nomination to the post of PHF President has been seen as a ray of hope.
Brig (rtd) Khalid Khokhar’s hockey knowledge and administrative abilities are expected to bring in changes, required for the uplift of the game at grassroots, national and international level.
