The Junior Hockey Asia Cup recently concluded in Salalah Oman with the green team finishing as runner-ups. Despite a successful run in this tournament, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has refused to pay daily allowance citing a lack of funds. Hockey is the country’s national sport and its current system of funds and payment raises many questions.
Related to Junior Hockey: Pakistan Hockey team preview
Junior Hockey Asia Cup
Funds and Payment systems in shambles
According to sources, the hockey federation has requested the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) many a time for the required funds so it can facilitate the players but there has been no response from them. The players and the officials were supposed to get 100$ per day for this competition but were refused by the federation.
Sources cite that multiple appeals were made before the commencement of the Junior Hockey Asia Cup but no response was received from the sports board which is responsible for releasing funds for different sports activities throughout the country. Even the tickets and accommodation were paid for by PHF’s own pocket
Hanif Khan seeks support from the government
Hanif Khan the current manager of the junior Pakistan hockey team and former olympian has requested the government to support the hockey team. According to Khan, the players have played really well in qualifying for the final and such a hardworking team deserves to be invested in.
“Our team played really well in this tournament and Alhamdulillah we have qualified for the Junior World Cup. It’s a great sign for our hockey and I am sure that our national game still has the potential to accel at the international level,”
“Now, it’s the right time that we invest in hockey. Our government should come forward and support our players. I would like to request our Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, come forward and support our national game.”
The team ended Asia Cup as Runner-ups
The Junior Hockey Asia Cup was a huge success for the team. They began their tournament campaign with a stellar win over Chinese Taipei thrashing them 15-1. The team went on to destroy Thailand 9-0 in their second game. The third game against mighty Japan was a close one, but the boys held their nerves, defeating the opponents 3-2.
Defeating Japan meant that the junior team was through to the semi-finals. In the penultimate game, Pakistan’s Abdul Rehman registered a hat-trick to push his team to the finals winning the semi-final 6-3 against Malaysia. Pakistan faced arch-rivals India in the final but it was unfortunate that despite a hard battle, the green team could not win losing 1-2 to the rivals.
Even though Pakistan is the second most successful team with three junior hockey Asia Cup titles to their name, it’s appalling that they still face so many irregularities. They have qualified for the finals seven times, yet the officials on higher seats continue to ignore the players and team officials. Their negligence is costing the Pakistan Hockey team the opportunity to develop themselves and is the main reason why they haven’t won a cup in a long long time. It’s high time all the irregularities are highlighted and addressed or it won’t be long before people forget it’s our national sport.
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