The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Wednesday appointed Olympian Samiullah Khan as the chief selector in what officials described as a major step toward reviving the country’s national game.
Samiullah, famously known as the “Flying Horse” for his speed and skill during his playing days, has been entrusted with the responsibility of rebuilding the national squad.
His appointment was made on the recommendation of a committee comprising former Olympians Hassan Sardar and Islahuddin Siddiqui.
The federation simultaneously announced a comprehensive roadmap aimed at improving the standard of hockey in the country. Under the new plan, team selection will be strictly merit-based, while a revamped structure and support staff will be put in place to strengthen performance and management.
PHF officials said a regular schedule of local and international competitions has been initiated to ensure consistent exposure for players. Modern technical education programmes will also be organized for the training of umpires and officials to align domestic standards with international requirements.
As part of grassroots development, special measures have been approved to promote hockey in educational institutions. Inter-school and inter-collegiate competitions will be organized to identify emerging talent, while a High Performance Center will be established to provide advanced training facilities.
PHF President Mohiuddin Wani expressed confidence in the new leadership. “Pakistan is determined to take hockey to new heights again,” he said, adding that he was certain the best possible team would be formed under Samiullah Khan’s leadership.
The federation also appealed to all stakeholders and members of the hockey community to extend their cooperation to ensure the successful implementation of the roadmap.