Source: Qama Ahamd Germany

Ustad Aslam Roda International Hockey Tournament held in Frankfurt

Attachment with Pakistani culture and youth-related endeavours should be appreciated: Consul General Pakistan Dr. Imtiaz A. Kazi Consul General of Pakistan.

Frankfurt (Q. A. Ata): Four teams from UK, Holland and Germany took part in the first Ustad Aslam Roda Hockey Tournament which was held in Frankfurt last Sunday at the Astor Turf Ground of Hockey Club of Fechenheim. Inaugurating the hockey tournament Dr. Imitaz A..Kazi, Consul General of Pakistan in Frankfurt said that he was very much pleased that despite cold weather teams form different parts of Europe came all the way long to Frankfurt to participate in this memorial tournament which shows their high respect for hockey legend of Pakistan Mr. Aslam Roda, a former Olympian and Coach who passed away a few months ago in Pakistan. He appreciated the commitment and love of our youth to hockey sport. He asked the players to remain attached with their culture and never forget their roots and serve their country in best way. Latter he presented some presents to the teams on behalf of the tournament committee. Earlier in his welcome address Qamar Ata paid tributes to Aslam Roda and termed his dedicated work as a great service to the cause of Hockey in Pakistan at the grass root level. He told that Aslam Roda has produced hundreds of hockey players as club coach in Gojra. One can just imagine the quality of his work that more than one hundred of his players have represented Pakistan at the national and international level, he added. Qamar called him as a hockey legend of Pakistan who should never be forgotten because “vibrant nations do not forget their heroes and try to recognise and remember the deeds rendered by them. He quoted Abraham Lincoln: “Any nation that does not honour its heroes will not long endure.”

In the first semi final Punjab Hockey Club Amsterdam beat Muslim Tigers 2:0 and Pak German Hockey Friends Germany were victorious in the second semi final beating Hockey Punjab Club Hamburg 2.1 after a tough match. Mr. Hasan Yousafzai, Commercial Consul of Pakistan in Frankfurt was chief guest at the final match. He distributed the prizes among the teams after the final match. In the final Punjab Hockey Club Amsterdam easily won against Pak German Hockey Friends 4:0 and received the Aslam Roda Trophy. On behalf of Tournament Committee Qamar Ata & Naseer Mirza thanked all the participants, sponsors, supporters and organisers for their zealous support and help to hold this first ever hockey tournament in Germany to commemorate the meritorious services of Aslam Roda and to promote peace and friendship through healthy sport activity for the youth of Pakistani community in Germany.

Members of Hockey Teams with the Chief Guest along with Ch. Iftikhar and Mr Qamar Ahmad

Note: The news of the evetn was telcast on PTV prime news of the sports. Click HERE to watch the videof the news as well of the event: