PHF seek financial scoop; Olympians dribble

Hockey federation wants Rs500m from government .

KARACHI:

Like a drought of favourable results for the Pakistan hockey team, the game’s governing body is also facing a huge financial crunch, bringing its day-to-day affairs close to a halt.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) that saw a new set-up last month after the elections, is lacking funds even to pay salaries for this month. According to the PHF, they need an immediate ‘bail-out package’.

Amid the prevailing circumstances, the federation headed by President Akhtar Rasool – also the ruling party PML-N’s leader – is preparing an extensive plan to revolutionise the national sport.

The plan that is expected to be sent to the government soon will require Rs500m annually, a senior PHF official told The Express Tribune.



“PHF wants to focus on schools, colleges and universities. The proposal also includes a programme for jobs assistance to players and promoting departmental hockey.”

The official added that the federation is not going to neglect the domestic hockey base either.

“The PHF is also aiming to bring significant improvements in the domestic structure besides providing advanced training to junior and senior teams. We are hoping a positive response from the government following the initial meeting.”

PHF’s demand justified: Ibrahim

Meanwhile, former Olympian Qamar Ibrahim has backed the federation’s demand of annual allocation of funds.

“It’s the right thinking,” said the former player.

“Pakistan’s hockey desperately needs funds. The proposal is appropriate if implemented effectively.”

Ibrahim added that the previous regime, which reportedly received funds of
Rs800m during its tenure, had failed to produce any positive results.

Olympians to protest outside parliament

Past hockey greats will assemble outside the Parliament House on Thursday to demand an interim set-up.

These include Islahuddin Siddiqui, Shehnaz Sheikh, Samiullah Khan, Ayaz Mehmood, Qamar Zia and Naveed Alam.

Samiullah said that no breakthrough can be expected from the same officials who ruined hockey in the last five years.

“Today we are ninth in the ranking,” he said. “This is not a new set-up as both the president and secretary (Rana Mujahid) were the part of last set-up in key positions.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2013.

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