Arrangements finalised for first ever floodlight hockey match

LAHORE, Nov 21 (APP)- All arrangements have been finalised to hold first ever hockey match under lights here tomorrow, Saturday with game followers getting a new taste of hockey blend with fun in a musical evening at National hockey stadium. This was stated by Chairman of the organising committee of the match Pervez Bhandara at a news conference along with Secretary,Punjab Hockey Association, Rana Mujahid on Friday.

Bhandara said the match will be played between Pak senior and Pak juniors at 7 pm and Punjab Governor,Salman Taseer will be the chief guest on the occasion.

The match is a sort of compensation of the Pak-India junior hockey series whose last match was to be played at Lahore on the same dates. The series was cancelled at the last minute when Indian authorities refused to give security clearance to its team to visit Pakistan.Pakistan Hockey Federation organised a similar event at Karachi where the opening match of the series was to be played on November 11 .

He said the musical programme will continue for one hour before the start of the match and it will go for another two hours after the match followed by a fire works display.

“ People of Lahore will be having the first hand experience to watch hockey under lights as the stadium has been equipped with the most modern facility to have matches at evenings”, he said.

Bhandara said Pakistan Hockey Federation has ensured top security to hold the match in a smooth manner. “ The entry into the stadium will be free and it will be through three gates after thorough screening of the public”.

He said PHF has invited former Pakistan hockey captains , former olympians and international players to see the match followed by an entertaining programme.

“ Our objective is to bring people back to hockey arenas and we have added another attraction by having top singers who will be performing on the occasion “,he asserted.

Those will be performing include Ali Azmat, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Adeel, daughter of famous folk singer Reshma, Komal, Haroon, Roxen and Ashia Khan.

Rana Mujahid thanked PHF for extending all out cooperation to hold the match. “ We will be having a lucky draw of Rs 100,000 for the general public “,he said.

He said the match will provide top quality hockey as country’s best hockey talent will be playing in it.

“ We are expecting a big audience to come and enjoy and we have made possible arrangements for their comfort “,he said.