RAWALPINDI: Upon his return to the nation after enjoying the ultimate of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, Pakistan hockey staff’s captain Ammad Butt mentioned that he was annoyed by the damaging impression of his aspect in an unique interview with Geo Information.
Pakistan misplaced within the ultimate of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to Japan on penalty shootout.
“After we returned to the airport, the nation appeared very comfortable, congratulations to the nation. We misplaced the ultimate of the Azlan Shah Hockey Match however received the hearts of the nation,” mentioned Butt.
He requested the nation to maintain supporting the game and their nationwide staff.
“Don’t give a damaging impression of the Pakistan hockey staff, assist it,” he mentioned.
To regain the hockey glory of the previous, Butt thinks that hockey actions needs to be revived in academic establishments.
“Earlier than the Azlan Shah Match, Pakistan hockey was in decline, there was no authorities assist. I request the Pakistan Hockey Federation to revive hockey actions in schools and universities. The kids needs to be taught the nationwide sport,” the captain of the nationwide hockey staff mentioned.
“Within the 90s, Pakistan taught hockey to the Western nations now the Western coaches and nations are instructing hockey to Pakistan,” he added.
Butt mentioned that there isn’t a lack of hockey expertise in Pakistan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is working actually onerous for the event of all sports activities within the nation.
“There isn’t any scarcity of hockey expertise in Pakistan, if the federal government supplies monetary assist, the scenario of hockey in Pakistan might be even higher,” he mentioned.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is working onerous not just for hockey but in addition for different sports activities. He has mentioned that the problem of jobs for hockey gamers might be resolved inside every week.”
The staff additionally confronted heavy criticism that the opposite groups taking part within the Azlan Shah Cup had been smaller or weaker groups and that’s the reason the Pakistani staff simply acquired into the finals. Malaysia, Canada, South Korea, Japan and New Zealand had been the 5 groups taking part within the match apart from Pakistan.
Butt denied all these claims and mentioned, “I’m not pleased with the impression that weak groups participated within the Azlan Shah Match”.
The Azlan Shah Hockey match was held in Ipoh, Malaysia on the Azlan Shah Stadium from Might 4th to Might eleventh 2024. It was the primary time since 2011 that Pakistan reached the ultimate of the match.
