KARACHI: Despite being out of favour for long, the former Pakistan Hockey captain, Rehan Butt is in no mood to hang his boots anytime soon. Talking to this correspondent for News One TV, the experienced forward applauded the younger lot which performed well in the recent international events.

“Dropping me was the decision of the hockey federation, but frankly the players performed exceptionally well in the absence of some senior guys, therefore should be highly praised”, said Rehan Butt.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) dropped a few senior players including Rehan Butt, following team’s dismal show in the London Olympics last year.

“I am pleased to see the team returning with Bronze and Gold medals in back to back events lately”, added Butt, who has recently monitored the trails to pick national U-16 outfit for the upcoming Asia Cup.

On a question about retirement, the former skipper termed it a one-time call, adding that he wanted to take the important decision after deliberation. “I don’t want to go and then come back. Retirement will come eventually but not till I am playing foreign leagues. I will hang my boots once and for all.” maintained Rehan Butt 

By Javeria Salman

Pakistan is amongst the countries where the literacy rate is not even close to satisfactory. However in the field of sports the green and white flag is waving high due to the champions in various fields. Cricket, Hockey, Squash and Snooker are the areas where Pakistan has excelled. There is a lot of potential in other sports too but unfortunately it is not recognised.

I started off with the literacy rate to make a point that there are a few sports which need a sharp mind and more importantly a better knowledge of a foreign language (English) – which is not necessary in Cricket, Hockey etc. All in all, a better student will surely be a better player of this very game, which is called Scrabble.

Keeping in view the above mentioned facts, would one imagine that Pakistan had been doing very well in Scrabble? The answer would be ‘No’ but this perception is far from reality, Pakistan have been performing impressively not only locally but at international competitions also. Very much like all other games, the progress at the grass-root is imperative and when it comes to Scrabble, this base is also well covered and the recently concluded World Youth Scrabble Championship (WYSC) in Birmingham is the testimony to it. The Pakistani team finished 3^rd in the competition. Before narrating the journey to Birmingham and the team’s performance at the event let me enlighten you about Pakistan’s previous demonstrations in the WYSC. The green team participated for the first time in 2010 and finished 8th but climbed to the 5^th rank in the following competition in 2011 (Both events were held in Malaysia). This gradual improvement continued this time around as well.

Lets be honest with ourselves, lets face the reality that we are ranked eighth in the world. No one was giving us any chance to show any type of good performance against any team.

Things weren't good for Team Pakistan even before the tournament began. Pakistan had to sack Michel van den Heuvel over the difference with the Hockey Federation just four months prior to the tournament. Most of Pakistani players were playing in the 'unofficial' hockey league. Pakistan performed poorly in the recently concluded Azlan Shah Cup and finished last out of the seven teams.


Pakistan had to appoint new management and call back senior players for the Olympics, so all the strategy and planning was to be reinitiated and the team had to settle down once again. Even thought Pakistan Hockey Officials were adamant that this team could still win a medal but people were giving them no chance at all.

The warm up matches were a disaster as well, Pakistan lost to the low ranked Belgium 2-0 and from Netherlands by a margin of 5-1. 

Yet, Pakistan started the tournament in a positive and surprising way, playing brilliantly against Spain to draw the match 1-1. Had it not been the missed chances Pakistan would have easily won. They did win their next match against Argentina 2-0. A match that brought up the hopes that Pakistan may achieve something in these Olympic games.

These hopes were brought down when Pakistan lost convincingly, 4-1 to Britain. But again in the next match from a losing position to win the match 5-4, with two goals in the last five minutes was something special. Pakistan had to win their next match against Australia to qualify for the semi final, yes the top ranked side of the world and world champions.

With all the hopes and prayers Pakistan entered the match to achieve something special. They could not, Australia thrashed Pakistan 7-0 in a one sided contest and Australia were the well deserved winners and finished unbeaten in the tournament.

By Omair Mushtaq

First of all, Ramzan Mubarak to all of the readers. I hope you are enjoying all the blessings endowed upon us during this month. Out of the many benefits of this month, one benefit that most people like to reap is associated with health. And you would be able to make most of this month if armed with some useful information. I will be answering some questions regarding working out during Ramzan and how to make fasting work to your advantage.

Establishing workout times:

First point to remember: make sure your workouts are around sehri or iftari times. Workouts take a toll on your body, workouts right before iftari would allow you to replenish yourself with hydration and nutrients and workouts after iftari would enable hydration during workout which is especially critical when working out in hotter climates.

By Imran Asghar

The Pakistan hockey team are to travel to Staffordshire in July to prepare for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The Pakistan Hockey Federation has selected Cannock Hockey Club as its final training base to get ready for the the event.

Pakistan has been drawn in a tough group that also includes the hosts, GB, for the preliminary round of the Olympic hockey tournament.

Councillor Pat Corfield, cabinet member for culture, communities and customers at Staffordshire County Council, said: "We're very proud to attract a top ten nation to use the excellent sporting facilities here in Staffordshire.

"We extended a warm welcome to the Pakistani team during a previous visit in 2009, and the combination of our hospitality and top-drawer facilities has encouraged them to return." she added.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Thusday appointed

Chaudhry Akhtar Rasool as chief coach and manager of Pakistan national hockey team while sacked foriegn coach Michel van den for breaching of contract just four months before the commencement of the London Olympics 2012.

Den Heuvel, was due to keep the job until after the Olympics

this summer but the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF)

said he had failed to return to duties as scheduled last

month and had also signed a deal with a Dutch club,

in violation of his contract. "The executive board of

the PHF met here and unanimously agreed that a

coach who signed another contract besides having

a valid contract with Pakistan is not acceptable," PHF

president Qasim Zia told reporters.

Pakistani Ahmad Amin Bodla on Thursday claimed to have broken the world record for the most number of martial arts kicks in one hour.

Ahmed Amin Bodla, who attempted the record at Children Library Complex in Lahore, managed 6,370 kicks in one hour. He broke the previous record of 2,982 kicks held by Indian Jayanth Reddy in 21 minutes and 46 seconds.

He had invited Guinness Book of World Records officials, but they had asked for 4,600 pounds to officiate the record attempt. He then asked local officials to look over it.

Bodla will now send the attempt video to Guinness Book of World Records, which can take up

to six to seven months to verify.

KheloPakistan.com brings you an exclusive interview with Salman Akbar. Salman Akbar is the Pakistan national hockey player. He plays at the position of goal-keeper. He started his international hockey career in 2001 Champion's Trophy.

Here's an exclusive interview with him.

Amir ‘king’ Khan , a British-Pakistani boxer will put his WBA World Super Championship and IBF World Championship belts on the line against Lamont ‘havoc’ Peterson on December , the 10th . This sensational 12-round match up is the main event that takes place in Lamont’s home town of Washington.

Amir Iqbal Khan (26-1, 18 KO's) hailing from Bolton , England has his family origins deep into Kahuta ,Rawalpindi . Khan has been in tremendous form this year with two clinical and satisfying triumphs against Paul McCloskey and Zab Judah. Khan who is rated as the best boxer in the light welter weight division has had an illustrious career since he became the youngest silver medallist in 2004 Olympics just aged 17 . And went on to become the youngest British world champions ever, winning the WBA world title, aged only 22 and defending the WBA title five times before unifying the division.

Lamont Peterson(29-1-1, 15 KO's) hailing from Washington has had a troubled past but a very outstanding career so far. Peterson goes on to say, ’It is for sure the biggest and (most) exciting fight of my career so far", later adding "on 10 December, I will make my dreams come true and ruin Amir's plans to reign over his division". Peterson currently has no belts to his name and hopes that could all change come 10th December.

International Hockey Federation's most esteemed annual event kicked off in Auckland today where eight teams are battling for the trophy. Pakistan started their campaign with a prominent track record of 8 wins in previous 14 challenges against GB in Champions Trophy.

The crowd wasn’t in great numbers and the atmosphere was quite dull which is surprising to see in such a big event. It wasn’t free flowing hockey from either side. Pak got their chance on 17^th minute but wasn’t able to convert into a goal scoring effort. Centre forward, Haseem Khan missed it by whisker. Both team tried hard but in 40^th minute, Green shirts good work paid off & penalty corner was awarded. Captain Muhammad Imran did not miss it. His drag flick was hard to stop for opponents. Shortly after goal, Great Britain missed their chance due to good defending skills of Pakistan team. Pakistan led by 1 – 0 till the end of 1^st half.

Second half started with GB had most of the possession. Attack was made on Pakistan’s Goal Post but Salman Akbar showed his heroics in early moments of 2^nd half and saved a certain goal. His Sharp reflexes worked for Pakistan and added disappointment to opponents. GB showed again their significant skills in 20^th minute of the second half when Mark Pearn scored his first Champions Trophy goal in 10 years.