Govt should take note of Pakistan hockey crisis after Hockey India offer: PHF

Karachi: The cash strapped PHF is hoping that after the offer by Hockey India to help Pakistan come out of its financial crisis, the country's government will finally come out of its slumber and release the much-needed funds for the national game.

HI had said that it was concerned with news reports about Pakistan being unable to send their team for the Olympic qualifying tournament in Holland due to financial crisis. HI had also added that it was willing to lend a helping hand.

A senior HI official said he could not imagine Olympic hockey tournament without Pakistan and India.

"Yes, we got a official note from the Indian hockey officials enquiring from us what they can do to help us come out of this financial crunch," PHF secretary Rana Mujahid told PTI.

"We have called a meeting on Monday to discuss the Indian hockey offer which is very gracious of them but obviously we want our government to help bail out hockey at this time," Mujahid said.

"Even though there was disagreement between the two hockey bodies after the incident in the Champions Trophy final which is an issue yet to be resolved, we think this move from HI is appreciable," he said.

The PHF announced last week that it was postponing a national training camp set up in Rawalpindi to prepare for the Olympic qualifying tournament because it could not pay the daily allowances of the players and coaches.

Pakistan have also failed to send their team to Malaysia for the traditional Azlan Shah tournament, which started today due to lack of funds.

While scheduled training tours of Australia and Korea as part of the preparations for the Olympic qualifiers late next month are also doubtful.

"We need money to send our team for these tours and for the Olympic qualifying tournament in June and right now honestly speaking our financial situation is very very bad which is why we were forced to temporarily close the national camp," Mujahid said.

"We just hope that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is our patron if chief issues, orders for release of urgent funds now to rescue hockey," he said.