Financial woes: Hanif bemoans apathy towards national sport
Former Olympian says hockey doesn’t figure on govt’s priority list .
It is also believed that the PHF pulled out of the Azlan Shah Cup after a delay in release of money promised by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif earlier this month. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
KARACHI:
While the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has been struggling to stay afloat amid a reported financial crisis, former Olympian Hanif Khan has expressed concern over government’s lack of interest in the national sport.
It is also believed that the PHF pulled out of the Azlan Shah Cup after a delay in release of money promised by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif earlier this month.
Shahbaz had approved a grant of Rs100 million after repeated requests by the federation. However, the grant is yet to be released and the delay has jeopardised greenshirts’ participation in the event.
‘Hockey no more on priority list’
Hanif, a former head coach and chief selector, said that missing the tournament was not a big concern. Instead, he described government’s reluctance to support hockey as a more serious threat.
“I get a feeling that hockey doesn’t figure on government’s priority list,” the former Olympian told The Express Tribune. “It’s surprising that even the PHF president [Akhtar Rasool] who is associated with the ruling party [PML-N] could not get money from the government.”
“As far as the Azlan Shah Cup is concerned, missing the event is not a big deal since it is not a high-profile tournament,” Hanif said. “I will advise the PHF to focus on domestic structure instead of sending our team to such competitions.”
Hanif reiterated that the government must not lose hope with a sport which introduced Pakistan to the sporting world. “We still have the potential to reclaim our lost glory – but for that to happen, the game needs continuous support from the authorities.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2014.
While the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has been struggling to stay afloat amid a reported financial crisis, former Olympian Hanif Khan has expressed concern over government’s lack of interest in the national sport.
It is also believed that the PHF pulled out of the Azlan Shah Cup after a delay in release of money promised by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif earlier this month.
Shahbaz had approved a grant of Rs100 million after repeated requests by the federation. However, the grant is yet to be released and the delay has jeopardised greenshirts’ participation in the event.
‘Hockey no more on priority list’
Hanif, a former head coach and chief selector, said that missing the tournament was not a big concern. Instead, he described government’s reluctance to support hockey as a more serious threat.
“I get a feeling that hockey doesn’t figure on government’s priority list,” the former Olympian told The Express Tribune. “It’s surprising that even the PHF president [Akhtar Rasool] who is associated with the ruling party [PML-N] could not get money from the government.”
“As far as the Azlan Shah Cup is concerned, missing the event is not a big deal since it is not a high-profile tournament,” Hanif said. “I will advise the PHF to focus on domestic structure instead of sending our team to such competitions.”
Hanif reiterated that the government must not lose hope with a sport which introduced Pakistan to the sporting world. “We still have the potential to reclaim our lost glory – but for that to happen, the game needs continuous support from the authorities.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2014.