Field hockey is recognised as Pakistan’s national sport. According to the members of 1960 gold medal-winning team, it was officially declared as such by President General Ayub Khan following their Olympic triumph.
Sadly, little has been done to support the sport in the current century. The situation is not only regrettable but also calls for empathy towards those affected.
The Pakistan national hockey team has publicly voiced its concerns over non-payment of their daily allowances for the last few months. Pakistan team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt has been countering these problems for a long time, but to his credit, and to that of head coach Tahir Zaman, they convinced the players to continue playing in last month’s FIH Nations Cup. The audio message sent to a group of players and officials was leaked to the media.
One unnamed player complained that they cannot play with empty pockets, as they have to make ends meet. The national hockey players do not have central contracts like cricketers. Only a handful of players are employed by departments that receive modest salaries that are insufficient to cover their family expenses in these times of inflation.
Others only get Rs 3,000 per day during a training camp, while they get Rs 35,000 per day while on tours. Not getting their dues will not only discourage these players, but their complaints will also force families to stop their kids from taking up field hockey, as they would see no future in it. These are alarming signs which are yet to be addressed by the top two of the Pakistan Hockey Federation—President Tariq Bugti and Secretary Rana Mujahid.
The federation officials are accused of joyrides whenever the team plays an international event. If reports are to be believed, the two officials receive $ 500 in daily allowances.
The federation has come under severe criticism from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) which is the authority that disburses government funds to the federations running sports. The PSB has directed the PHF to submit the accounts of their expenses in the last two years and warned that future funding will be delivered through a vendor and not directly.
The whole situation warrants strict vigilance of the PHF. Pakistan has received a golden opportunity to send its team to the FIH Pro League after New Zealand withdrew over financial shortages. Pakistan, too, will find it difficult to meet the expenses of touring eight teams— or seven, in case India refuses to play—and hosting them.
Reports suggest it will cost around 2.5 million dollars, which is a staggering amount, considering the economic situation of both the country and the Federation. Even if this amount is doled out through government funds and sponsorship, it will need close monitoring of the expenses as it opens the door to corruption.
Pakistan head coach Tahir Zaman and skipper Butt have described the Pro League chance as a “golden opportunity” to revive Pakistan hockey. In the annual League, Pakistan will play top teams such as the Netherlands (winner of both men’s and women’s league this year), Australia, Germany, Great Britain, India, Spain, and Belgium. The national team has shown signs of rise with a third finish in the Asian Champions Trophy in China and runners-up finishes in the Azlan Shah and Nations Cup.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is the patron of hockey. He is a sports-loving person, evident from his celebrations when Pakistan won a silver medal in the Azlan Shah Cup last year. He also hosted the Pakistan team after that success and promised regular support for the national sport. Rana Sanaullah is the IPC minister who controls sports in the country and is also known for its management skills.
Rana Mashood is running the PM Youth Affairs Programme, which also includes sports. The Prime Minister and Rana Sanaullah must first address the issue of daily allowances for the players. If it is not done at the earliest, players will get demotivated, as receiving payment for their services is essential.
Hockey is still the second most followed sport in the country. We can see its renaissance if we work in unison. The officials must address the problems faced by the players, and the players, in return, will help restore the golden days that saw Pakistan winning three Olympic Golds, four world titles, and eight Asian Games laurels.
