By Ijaz Chaudhry
In Pakistan's national and age group championships, Dar Hockey Academy players' massive presence has been a norm for over a decade. The recently concluded 68th National Hockey Championships held at Karachi's Abdul Sattar Edhi hockey stadium was no exception. Seven of the 14 teams had the services of Dar HA boys.
But there was something special this time. All these sides made it to the last eight. Yes, seven of the eight quarterfinalists were studded with players from Pakistan's
finest hockey school.
Of the 25 Dar academy boys at these nationals, the eventual champions Customs included the highest number, eight.
Moreover, Customs team's manager Irfan Butt, head coach World Cup winner Danish Kalaeem and video analyst Sultan Ashraf have the same roles with the Dar Hockey Academy.
Pakistan Customs (Eight)
Bilal Aslam, Ali Hamza, Faizan Janjua, Awais Rasheed, Muhammad Ahmed, Aisam Haider,
Rana Sohail, Adeel Latif
WAPDA (Two)
Waqar Younas, Ali Aziz
Mari Petroleum (Four)
Waseem Akram (Captain), Muhammad Mohsin, Aqeel Rao, Awais Arshad
Pak ARMY (Two)
Muhammad Awais, Jani
Pak NAVY (Three)
Asad Aziz (Captain), Muhammad Waseem, Ali Ansar
PAF (Three)
Gul Sher, Muhammad Shahbaz, Ibrahim Khan
Rangers (Three)
Muhammad Farhan, Mian Tauseef, Zeeshan
Ijaz Chaudhry writes on hockey & other sports. For more about him & his work, visit http://www.sportscorrespondent.info