Lahore, January 11, 2021: Hockey 09 Super Hockey League organized by Rana Zaheer Hockey Academy Lahore got off to a great start at National Hockey Stadium Lahore. Hockey 09 Super Hockey League was inaugurated today at 2 o’clock by the Chairman Selection Committee of Pakistan Hockey Federation and the winning captain of Los Angeles Olympics 1984, the legendary Olympian Manzoor Hussain. On the arrival of the special guest, he was warmly welcomed by the tournament administration. He was presented a bouquet of flowers and the junior children of Rana Zaheer Hockey Academy showered him with flower petals. The special guest was then introduced to the players and officials of both teams.
According to the details, two matches were played on the first day of Hockey 09 Super Hockey League today. In the first match, Lahore Tigers defeated Lahore Lions by two goals to one. Zain Ijaz scored both goals for Lahore Tigers while Ali Murtaza scored the only goal for Lahore Lions. Today’s second match was played between Lahore Dolphins and Lahore Panthers which ended in a draw in the allotted time. Until the last moments of the match, Lahore Panthers were winning by one goal against Lahore Dolphins but just a minute before the end of the match, Olympian Shafqat Rasool equalized the match by scoring a beautiful field goal with his individual effort. Lahore Dolphins’ left-in Zahid Afzal International also played well. Later, on a penalty stroke, Lahore Dolphins defeated Lahore Panthers by three goals to two. Rana Zaheer Hockey Academy gave cash prizes of Rs. 20,000 to both the winning teams. Olympians Muhammad Thaqleen and Imran Butt International were also present on the occasion. Today’s two matches were telecast live on the YouTube channel with the services of Pakistan Hockey Federation video analyst Nadeem Khan Lodhi.
Rai Usman Akbar Kharal served as the Organizing Secretary in the Official Panel. Shafqat Hussain Malik was the tournament director and Muhammad Yaqub was the assistant tournament director. The duties of Empire Manager were performed by Rashid Mahmood Butt International while his deputy was Dilawar Hussain Bhatti International. The umpires included Yasir Khurshid International, Banish Hayat International, Mubashir Ali Chatta, and Mazhar Wasim, while the technical officials included Israr Jafari, Saqib Niaz, Rizwan ul Haq, and Shiraz Khurshid Azam.
Apart from the Pakistan Hockey Family, a large number of spectators watched both the matches played today. Two matches will be played in the tournament tomorrow. The first match will be played between Lahore Tigers and Lahore Dolphins at 2 pm while the second match will be played between Lahore Lions and Lahore Panthers on Day 0330.
