No funds, no hockey: PHF secretary general

Rana Mujahid predicts financial crisis, calls for government support

KARACHI: “If the federal government does not provide the required funds for the development of the national sport, hockey will come to its end and the players will leave due to a financial crisis,” said Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary General Rana Mujhaid at the 51st annual congress meeting of PHF held at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday.

“Due to lack of funds, PHF is not able to pay a respectable amount to its players because of which the relation between the players and the federation is getting sour. It is very disappointing as the national team has earned two consecutive silver medals in the last international events and still they, together with their families, are facing monetary difficulties.

“The players must be encouraged and supported by the government to make their ends meet,” urged Mujahid.

Mujahid further elaborated that the PHF congress has passed a unanimous resolution urging the Prime Minister to approve a summary of Rs500 million, prepared by the Inter Provincial Coordination Ministry, for the implementation of the PHF action plan to uplift the standards of hockey in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the meeting also shed light on the behavior of Champions Trophy’s tournament director Wiert Doyer with the Pakistani players and head coach Shahnaz Sheikh before the Champions Trophy final, which affected the national team’s performance against Germany.

“Former President of the PHF Qasim Zia who is an elected member of the FIH Executive Board will question the behavior of Doyer at the forthcoming FIH Executive Board meeting that changed after being pressurised by Hockey India” said Mujahid.

He also informed that a general manager (women) will be appointed to look after women’s hockey throughout Pakistan and women will be given 20% representation in the congress and the executive board. The annual calendar and the estimated budget of the PHF for the year 2015-16 was also approved in the meeting.

 

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