KARACHI, Sept 7 After commissioning of international standard multipurpose gymnasium at a cost of 85 million rupees some five years back, Habib Public School (HPS), which is known for producing a galaxy of hockey stalwarts in the last five decades has embarked upon a plan to install an Astroturf in the institution in the near future.

“The laying of artificial pitch would cost approximately 65 million rupees of which the institution will bear half of the cost while the remaining will come through donor agencies and other means,” Anwar Abbas, director of Habib Education Trust, who is supervising the project, told Dawn on Tuesday.

The cost among others include import of the surface, water recycling plant, sprinklers, and a main pavilion with a seating capacity for 200 people.

Elaborating, Anwar Abbas said the PHF secretary Asif Bajwa has responded positively to his letter dated Sept 3 and assured to help get substantial discount from supplying firm.

In addition, the PHF secretary has also assured to help waive the customs duty, he added.

Divulging details of his correspondence with Australian Sports Outreach Programme courtesy Australian High Commissioner in Islamabad, Tim George, he said they may contribute 20,000 Australian Dollars towards the project.

He said letters were also sent to a number of foreign missions in Islamabad seeking their support for the project.

However, a letter written by Malaysian High Commissioner Ahmad Anwar Adnan (a copy of which is available with Dawn) in response to the request made interesting revelations. It says “I agree that with the introduction of Astroturf after the 70s, field hockey took a different dimension. While new hockey nations came into fore, traditional powerhouses like Pakistan and India are left behind to be among he crowd”.

The Malaysian High Commissioner recalls that as a young boy he had the opportunity to watch the two great teams playing in the World Cup final when it was held in Kuala Lumpur in 1975 and added that he and his other friends were mesmerised by the skilful dribblers like Samiullah.

He also recalled his disappointment when Pakistan lost the final through a controversial goal awarded by none other than the Malaysian umpire.

According to Anwar Abbas, the school management has also written letters to alumni last week, seeking their financial support for the cause in letter and spirit.

Two former Pakistan captains — Hasan Sardar and Ahmed Alam, reputed penalty corner striker Sohail Abbas, Safdar Abbas, who donned Pakistan colour when he was IX grade student - are among seven Olympians and 22 internationals produced by the school.

The school is Inter-school hockey champion for many years and has sent teams to India, UAE, Oman and Malaysia to hone their skills.

When installed, HPS would perhaps become first school in Asia to have an Astroturf and will be used to train youngsters of other schools, colleges and clubs as well.

Meanwhile, the director sports of the school, Shabih Abbas, who was instrumental in the uplift of sports has quit the institution recently after a long association of four decades.