‘Homecoming’ for Bovelander
LAHORE – Netherlands world class dragfliker (short corner) specialist Floris Jen Bovelnder termed its being like-home coming as he is back to Pakistan after almost two decades and he is highly thankful to Pakistan Hockey Federation President Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar and his close friend and former rival Shahbaz Ahmed Senior for giving him this opportunity.
Bovelnder, who was dubbed as undisputed king of short corners expressed these views During an exclusive interview with The Sports Reporter's Special Correspondent Raja Mohsin Ijaz on Saturday, he further said, it’s always been great to visit Pakistan, as it is the century, where we managed to win hockey world cup, the only world cup, I had managed to win in Lahore, it was not a happy moment for the hosts Pakistan, as we managed to beat them, but trust me, I along with my teammates were highly surprised to witness that despite Pakistan lost the final against Netherlands, the local crowd was supporting us, I feel for Pakistan team, but, winning world cup is always a special moment, I had strong rivalry with one of the most decorated, blessed players Pakistan and world hockey had ever witnessed Shahbaz Senior, we were rivals on the pitch for more than a decade, but we had tremendous respect for each other off the pitch.
He further said, having witnessed Pakistan juniors playing against the international XI, it was good feeling, I can see, Pakistan had few good juniors, whom if properly trained and provided with international exposure, might went onto serve Pakistan hockey for decades, as they are still very young, but they played very well in the first 15 minutes and put much experienced International XI under enormous pressure, which was good to see, as I had witnessed green shirts rise and also sadly, they are not enjoying same success, which they use to enjoy during the Shahbaz era, having said that, Pakistan team committed too many mistakes, which was expected, as they had not played against such professional players before and they are bound to learn with each passing day.
When asked what was the difference he had noticed between Shahbaz playing days and now and as a great, where he finds Pakistan team lack and whether he thinks Shahbaz and Brig Khokhar are the perfect ones who could take Pakistan hockey where it belongs, Bovelnder, as I was not interacted with Pakistan hockey since long, I can’t exactly say where they lack and what were the reasons behind their downfall, but on the whole when sports suffer, there is naturally sharp decline witnessed in all sports not only hockey, there are lot of reasons, live telecast of matches is a major factor behind youth are not taking interest in hockey, while school, college hockey is also important to attract youth, I seriously think, as a former great Shahbaz is the man, along with a highly dedicated President Brig Khalid, who both look highly determined and want to take Pakistan hockey to new heights, in fact, I came to Pakistan just because of m y friend Shahbaz, I found Pakistanis are highly passionate, although it was highly thin crowd present on the first match, but even then, when Pakistan team took lead, there was awesome noise, crowd rose to their seats and there was clearly a sense of expectation, while former greats were also present to buck up juniors, that was highly significant, as far as I along with other greats are concern, I am highly honoured that PHF inducted us to hall of Fame, which is indeed huge honour for me, i cherish this moment that I am the part of the international hockey returning to Pakistan and frankly, I would love to help Pakistan hockey stand back to its feet, yes, if you ask me whether I feel any insecurity or I want to travel to this part again, I will definitely say, yes, I never feel any kind of security issue, that’s why I am here, while I will look if I was again called, while I can say that every player had his or her own concerns, I don’t feel any security issues, if you want my opinion, I can say, internationals should think about coming to Pakistan, but it would be purely their decision, I can’t commit on others behalf, PHF is working on positive lines and I can feel their efforts can bring more than desired fruit for Pakistan hockey, as a hockey greats, Pakistan hockey need international help and I am ready to help Pakistan, they are really wonderful, loving people, I can see the generation, who had never seen me playing were so anxiously wanted to have photograph with me, the old people were also in the ground in such good numbers, slowly and gradually, if the matches were broadcast live or even on television regularly, it will help Pakistan hockey a great deal.
I enjoyed being back to Pakistan, I love to promote hockey, its national sports of Pakistan, I know cricket is all over in Pakistan, but I made on and off the pitch new friends and very good to be here and help Pakistan hockey, I had played in Pakistan and my favourite moment is winning world cup in Pakistan and I missed plenty stroke in 1994, which gave Pakistan world cup title.
When asked about who was the best player whom he had played against, Bovelnder replied, undoubtedly Shahbaz, he was the best, his dribbles, skills, goal scoring habit, he was the best I had ever played against, we had mutual respect, he is my best friend, playing 10 years against each other all-around the world, we had always share good moments, he said, I don’t think the lack of international hockey being played in Pakistan is the reason behind hockey decline, I can see, if matches are shown on television, other city players will get huge boost, people will have more chances of watching hockey and I feel, as the national game of Pakistan, hockey deserve more attention, Pakistan had the potential of winning titles and Shahbaz and company could revive the fortunes pf Pakistan hockey, the last match will be played today (Sunday), if Pakistan team wins, it would be good for hockey and Pakistan next generation and it will put new lease of life in hockey, Bovelnder concluded.
Bovelnder, who was dubbed as undisputed king of short corners expressed these views During an exclusive interview with The Sports Reporter's Special Correspondent Raja Mohsin Ijaz on Saturday, he further said, it’s always been great to visit Pakistan, as it is the century, where we managed to win hockey world cup, the only world cup, I had managed to win in Lahore, it was not a happy moment for the hosts Pakistan, as we managed to beat them, but trust me, I along with my teammates were highly surprised to witness that despite Pakistan lost the final against Netherlands, the local crowd was supporting us, I feel for Pakistan team, but, winning world cup is always a special moment, I had strong rivalry with one of the most decorated, blessed players Pakistan and world hockey had ever witnessed Shahbaz Senior, we were rivals on the pitch for more than a decade, but we had tremendous respect for each other off the pitch.
He further said, having witnessed Pakistan juniors playing against the international XI, it was good feeling, I can see, Pakistan had few good juniors, whom if properly trained and provided with international exposure, might went onto serve Pakistan hockey for decades, as they are still very young, but they played very well in the first 15 minutes and put much experienced International XI under enormous pressure, which was good to see, as I had witnessed green shirts rise and also sadly, they are not enjoying same success, which they use to enjoy during the Shahbaz era, having said that, Pakistan team committed too many mistakes, which was expected, as they had not played against such professional players before and they are bound to learn with each passing day.
When asked what was the difference he had noticed between Shahbaz playing days and now and as a great, where he finds Pakistan team lack and whether he thinks Shahbaz and Brig Khokhar are the perfect ones who could take Pakistan hockey where it belongs, Bovelnder, as I was not interacted with Pakistan hockey since long, I can’t exactly say where they lack and what were the reasons behind their downfall, but on the whole when sports suffer, there is naturally sharp decline witnessed in all sports not only hockey, there are lot of reasons, live telecast of matches is a major factor behind youth are not taking interest in hockey, while school, college hockey is also important to attract youth, I seriously think, as a former great Shahbaz is the man, along with a highly dedicated President Brig Khalid, who both look highly determined and want to take Pakistan hockey to new heights, in fact, I came to Pakistan just because of m y friend Shahbaz, I found Pakistanis are highly passionate, although it was highly thin crowd present on the first match, but even then, when Pakistan team took lead, there was awesome noise, crowd rose to their seats and there was clearly a sense of expectation, while former greats were also present to buck up juniors, that was highly significant, as far as I along with other greats are concern, I am highly honoured that PHF inducted us to hall of Fame, which is indeed huge honour for me, i cherish this moment that I am the part of the international hockey returning to Pakistan and frankly, I would love to help Pakistan hockey stand back to its feet, yes, if you ask me whether I feel any insecurity or I want to travel to this part again, I will definitely say, yes, I never feel any kind of security issue, that’s why I am here, while I will look if I was again called, while I can say that every player had his or her own concerns, I don’t feel any security issues, if you want my opinion, I can say, internationals should think about coming to Pakistan, but it would be purely their decision, I can’t commit on others behalf, PHF is working on positive lines and I can feel their efforts can bring more than desired fruit for Pakistan hockey, as a hockey greats, Pakistan hockey need international help and I am ready to help Pakistan, they are really wonderful, loving people, I can see the generation, who had never seen me playing were so anxiously wanted to have photograph with me, the old people were also in the ground in such good numbers, slowly and gradually, if the matches were broadcast live or even on television regularly, it will help Pakistan hockey a great deal.
I enjoyed being back to Pakistan, I love to promote hockey, its national sports of Pakistan, I know cricket is all over in Pakistan, but I made on and off the pitch new friends and very good to be here and help Pakistan hockey, I had played in Pakistan and my favourite moment is winning world cup in Pakistan and I missed plenty stroke in 1994, which gave Pakistan world cup title.
When asked about who was the best player whom he had played against, Bovelnder replied, undoubtedly Shahbaz, he was the best, his dribbles, skills, goal scoring habit, he was the best I had ever played against, we had mutual respect, he is my best friend, playing 10 years against each other all-around the world, we had always share good moments, he said, I don’t think the lack of international hockey being played in Pakistan is the reason behind hockey decline, I can see, if matches are shown on television, other city players will get huge boost, people will have more chances of watching hockey and I feel, as the national game of Pakistan, hockey deserve more attention, Pakistan had the potential of winning titles and Shahbaz and company could revive the fortunes pf Pakistan hockey, the last match will be played today (Sunday), if Pakistan team wins, it would be good for hockey and Pakistan next generation and it will put new lease of life in hockey, Bovelnder concluded.
Today at 09:01S
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