ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Finance on Wednesday directed the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to submit fresh papers focusing on the benefits of national team participation in the Pro League.
Rana Mujahid, Secretary of PHF, called on Finance Ministry officials on Wednesday to seek approval of the finances for the mega event. The Ministry, however, wanted some changes in the request already submitted through the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and directed the PHF Secretary to come up with a fresh request by Tuesday.
“Some changes are required in the documents already submitted to the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) and the Ministry of Finance. We have asked the PHF officials to clear some points before submitting it back to the Finance Ministry,” the official confirmed.
On Tuesday, a high-level meeting under the PM Advisor on IPC, Rana Sanaullah, was held, which referred the matter to the Ministry of Finance. The meeting was also attended by Secretary IPC Mohyuddin Wani, Secretary PHF Rana Mujahid, representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). It was decided that the PHF Secretary and concerned officials of the Ministry of Finance will sit together on Wednesday to finalise the expenditures of the Pro League 2026.
When the PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid was approached, he said the documents required by the Ministry of Finance with a changed request will be submitted to the Ministry within the next couple of days.
The PHF Secretary offered the government to take over the expenditures entirely into their hands. What the PHF needs is to give exposure to their top players through participation in the Pro League. Since the government will support the event financially, the Ministry can spend the amount directly on players’ traveling, boarding, lodging, and on dailies.
“Our prime objective is to help players attain international exposure on a regular basis. Pakistan’s participation in the FIH Pro League would go a long way in improving the game’s standard and the ranking of the Pakistan team. Our players are hungry for international exposure. Continuous hockey exposure throughout the year will help players improve their game standards. If Pakistan is to stay among the best teams in the world, playing the Pro League is a must,” Rana said.