PM approves Rs500m PHF budget

Asian Games players receive bulk of Rs 40 million award.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) financial situation is now on a path to recovery after Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who is also the patron of the body, approved Rs500 million for its annual budget next year. The new budget is intended to help boost the sport in the country.

Meanwhile, the PHF also got relief for its current Rs300 million deficit. “Since the government is the sole financer of the PHF, I would like to announce  that the prime minister has sanctioned Rs120 million for the financial year,”said PHF President Qasim Zia.

Zia also revealed that the bulk of Rs40 million cash award for the team, announced by Gillani for winning the Asian Games’ gold, will be distributed on Thursday. The 22-man contingent will receive Rs1.8 million each.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st,  2011.