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The world’s top 08 hockey teams attended the Championship. The other teams were, Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain.
H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, High Commissioner for Pakistan, hosted a dinner in honour of the visiting national team and accompanying officials at Auckland on 8 December, 2011. Amongst others, the dinner was attended by Mr. Qasim Zia, President, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Mr. Ross Robertson, MP, Chairperson, New Zealand-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mr. Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, MP and Dr. Ashraf Choudhary, former MP.
The High Commissioner welcomed the team to New Zealand and expressed satisfaction on the young squads performance amongst the world’s best hockey teams. He expressed the hope that the tournament would provide an excellent opportunity for the national team to prepare for the forthcoming Olympic games.
Mr. Ross Robertson, MP, Chair NZ-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group, in his remarks emphasized on the sporting links between the two countries and expressed the hope that these ties would translate into strengthening bilateral friendship between the two countries. He commended the High Commissioner’s efforts to strengthen two countries relations by forging closer ties between the New Zealand and Pakistan Parliaments.
Mr. Kanwaljit Singh MP, who was announced the same evening, as the new Secretary General of the New Zealand-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group, also briefly addressed the gathering. He expressed the hope that Pakistan Hockey Team will reclaim its rightful place amongst the hockey playing nations in the world.
Mr. Qasim Zia, President, Pakistan Hockey Federation, in his remarks thanked the High Commissioner for hosting the team. He assured that the hard work of the team members and management shall bore fruit in the upcoming Olympic games. He also presented a PHF plaque to the High Commissioner as a memento.
Around 80 guests attended the dinner, including the Pakistani community leaders, Kashmiri representatives, businesspersons, professionals and members of the Pakistani diaspora.
PR No. 10/2011
Wellington
12 December, 2011
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