Secretary General Pakistan Hockey Federation Haider Hussain, PHF Officials, Sindh Hockey Association Secretary Akbar Qaimkhani, Congress Member PHF Gulfraz Khan, Chief Coordinator PHF Major Shahnawaz, Dr. S.A Majid Sr. Vice President KHA and Mohsin Ali Khan Deputy President KHA were present at the departure of the team. After a special prayer at Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium Karachi on the instructions of Chief Secretary Sindh Government Dr. Sohail Rajput, the team left for the airport with the best security arrangements. The Pakistan Hockey Team was given particular protocol by the airport and immigration authorities, and players of the National hockey team were provided facilities on a priority basis.
The National hockey team was given a sumptuous dinner by the President of the Karachi Hockey Association Dr. Junaid Ali Shah at the State of the Art Majestic Launch established at Jinnah International Airport Karachi. On this occasion, Pakistan Hockey Team Manager Muhammad Saeed Khan said that the players of the National hockey team are enthusiastic and talented, nine players of the youth team are participating in an international hockey event for the first time, which will give them the experience of international hockey matches. He further said that the National hockey team under the experienced leadership of captain Umar Bhatta will participate in the event. He added that the national hockey team has been given such a wonderful and dignified protocol which has encouraged the players a lot. The past of Pakistan Hockey is adorned with wonderful traditions which have been reminisced.
The Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup Ipoh, Malaysia event will be played from 1st to 10th November 2022. Six teams are participating in the event, including the host team Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, South Africa, and Egypt. The event will be played in a round-robin league format.
The National hockey team leaving from Karachi includes manager Saeed Khan, coaches Siegfried Ekman, Ayaz Mehmood, video analyst Abuzar Umrao, national hockey players Akmal Hussain, Abdullah Ishtiaq, Muhammad Abdullah, Aqeel Ahmed, Arbaaz Ahmed, Osama Bashir, Ehtesham Aslam, Murtaza Yaqoob, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Muhammad Imran, Arshad Liaquat, Hanan Shahid, Muhammad Umar Bhatta, Arbaaz Roman Khan, Rana Abdul Waheed, Junaid Manzoor and Muhammad Shahzeb Khan are included.