Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif invited the national hockey team to the Chief Minister’s office on Tuesday and gave them a check of Rs30 million for winning a silver medal in the Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament.

The CM said, ‘Hockey is not only our national sport but also a national pride.’ She added that at success after 13 years, hockey players will be supported and patronised at every level. The chief minister said the hockey team has made the nation proud, they will be given full support. Competitions will be held for the promotion of hockey at every level in Punjab. Highlighting the historical significance of national hockey for Pakistan, Maryam Nawaz Sharif assured full support from both herself and the Prime Minister to help regain its former glory. She added, ‘I congratulate the hockey team on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and myself.

It is a very proud moment for us that you have raised the national honor in the field of hockey.’ She said, ‘Seeing young players from all over the country, I can say that more success will be achieved in future with attention and support.’ She added a young sports minister has been appointed in Punjab who has taken great steps in a short period of time. Hockey players will be supported at every level. Sports Minister Faisal Khokhar has been entrusted with the task of rehabilitating sports and sports will be brought to every street and neighborhood of Punjab, she said. Maryam Nawaz Sharif said with financial support for the development of hockey, academies will improve. International experts will also be provided for training. The players of the national hockey team assured the CM of their maximum effort to earn more laurels for the country. Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Provincial Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Special Assistant Zeeshan Malik, Information Secretary Ahmed Aziz Tarar, Sports Secretary Muzaffar Sial and other relevant officers were present on the occasion.