The visiting Pakistani hockey team in Oman was accorded a warm reception by the Pakistani community in Muscat under the auspices of Abdul Rahman, entrepreneur and a sports lover at the Al Hakal Restaurant in Al Ghubra on Monday.
The occasion marked the official visit of the Pakistan hockey team to Oman, where they recently participated in the Olympic Qualifier tournament and secured a commendable fourth position after entering the semifinals. Pakistan narrowly lost to New Zealand 3-2 in the play-off for third place which decided the third and final Olympic spot from the Oman Qualifier.
The dinner served as an opportunity for the community to express their appreciation and solidarity with the athletes who represented Pakistan on an international stage.
Prominent members of the Pakistani community and officials from the Pakistani embassy, with Attiqur Rahman, Welfare Attache, being the chief guest, graced the event with their presence. Notable attendees included Ch Abbas, Shabir Ahmed, Kashif Zaeem, Nasir Maroof, Ch Asghar, Ch Ashraf, Akhmat Hayyat Raja, Akhtar Saleem, Azra Aleem, Aleem Anees, and various other dignitaries.
Speaking to the Observer, Imran Ali, Pakistan Ambassador to Sultanate of Oman, lauded the efforts of the visiting team in strategising themselves and in combating the opponents in the matches it participated. He opined that it would be just a matter of time before the Pakistan team could make it to be one of the best teams in the region.
Attiqur Rahman, Welfare Attache, shared words of encouragement and pride for the hockey team's achievements. The event was made even more special with the presence of head coach Shenaz Shiekh, a former renowned hockey player, who graciously shared his experiences during the team's visit to Oman and praised the facilities provided by the Omani Government.
Members of the Pakistan hockey team were given a token of appreciation and recognition for their hard work and dedication to the sport.
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