A warm and enthusiastic welcome was accorded in Sargodha to the city’s talented women hockey players, Zill-e-Hira Sadaf, Pakistan’s first female international hockey player from Sargodha, who represented Pakistan in the Under-18 and Under-21 tournaments in Oman, and Maha Ramzan, who brought pride to Pakistan through her participation in the Junior Asia Cup in China, upon their return home.
Representatives of the District Hockey Association, including Mian Saleem Akhtar, along with prominent social figures, showered flowers on the two players and their coaches and presented them with flower garlands to congratulate them on their achievements.
Former international hockey player and Joint Secretary of the District Hockey Association Malik Muhammad Farooq, Anbala School Principal Sajid Mahmood Khan, and Physical Education Teacher Adil Qibla arranged a Scouts Guard of Honour and hosted a reception with a lavish high tea in honour of the players.
Representative of the Anjuman Shehrian and General Secretary of the Optical Association Muhammad Shahzad Ansari also warmly welcomed the distinguished guests and Coach Hassan Haider Shah at Kacheri Bazaar.
Member of the National Assembly Ms. Aram Hamid Hamid and former Minister of State Chaudhry Hamid Hamid appreciated the players for their outstanding achievements, saying that despite limited resources, the hard work of the young athletes and the training provided by Coach Hassan Haider Shah had brought pride to Sargodha at the international level.
On the occasion, Coach Hassan Haider Shah thanked Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Mohiuddin Wani, whose efforts, he said, had provided the Junior Women’s Hockey Team with an opportunity to resume its participation in international events.
Children from the Sargodha Gymnastics Club and Eagle Gymnastics Club performed impressive gymnastics routines, drawing applause from the audience. An exhibition hockey match was also played between Government College Mela Mandi and Fatima Women Hockey Academy.
District Sports Officer Ms. Saima Manzoor, Divisional Sports Officer Rana Nadeem Anjum, Director Sports Mela Mandi College Ayesha Siddiqa, international boxing coach Raheel Khan, international boxers Ayesha Mumtaz, Sahra and Huzaifa Raheel, gymnastics coaches Nadeem Khan and Imran, along with a large number of sports enthusiasts, attended the ceremony.
At the conclusion of the event, commemorative shields were presented to the distinguished guests. A special prayer was also offered for the early recovery of Mian Munir, Patron of the Crescent Hockey Club Sargodha.
