Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have expressed happiness over the national hockey team qualifying for the hockey World Cup after eight years.

President Asif Ali Zardari emphasized need to promote sports such as hockey and football, stating that these are the games of working class and ordinary people, and they should be further developed across the country. Sports promote unity, discipline and a healthy society, he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advised players to continue their hard work, emphasizing that by playing with same dedication and determination, they can win the World Cup.