A women’s hockey match was organised at the National Hockey Stadium on Monday with the collaboration of the Sports Board Punjab in connection with Defence Day celebrations to pay tribute to the martyrs who rendered supreme sacrifices for the country.
Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi was the chief guest on this occasion. President Punjab Hockey Association Women Wing Abida Tanveer, Secretary Rahat Khan, Deputy Director Zahoor Ahmad, former Director Sports Chand Parveen and other officials were also present.
In the match, the Sports Board Punjab Women’s Hockey team defeated the Punjab Women Hockey Association team by 3-1. Both the teams featured national women hockey players, who displayed an impressive standard of hockey during the match.
Speaking on the occasion, Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi said the women’s hockey match was organised to pay tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan who sacrificed their lives for the defence of the motherland. “Sports Board Punjab had also organised a swimming championship in connection with Defence Day. Such sporting events were aimed at honouring the sacrifices of the country’s heroes”.
Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi said Punjab has been blessed with plenty of talented women hockey players. “Sports Board Punjab is taking comprehensive measures for the promotion and development of hockey in the province”.
Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi said young players were being provided training by expert coaches at the CM Punjab Hockey Academy, which was helping young athletes improve their skills and prepare for higher-level competitions. “It was encouraging that Pakistan’s national hockey team had qualified for the Hockey World Cup after 8 years, describing the achievement as a positive development for the sport in the country”.
DG Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi was introduced to the players and also had group photographs with the teams. He later distributed trophies among the winning and runners-up teams.
The women hockey players raised slogans in support of Pakistan and the Pakistan Army, adding patriotic spirit to the Defence Day event.