Mashhood empowered to decide fate of breakaway PHF

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is also patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), has empowered Advisor on Youth Affairs Rana Mashhood to decide on the fate of breakaway federation in the best interest of the game considering the legal and constitutional position.

‘The News’ has learnt from sources within the Ministry for Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC) that a meeting is expected on April 25 which largely clears position of the PHF. Mashhood is expected to listen to the point of view of the breakaway federation that is working largely on its own by organizing a camp in Karachi.

The ministry has recently issued a notification, confirming nomination of Tariq Masoori Bugti as the president of the PHF in lieu of the powers entrusted by the constitution. The clause 15 of the PHF Constitution says: “The patron-in-chief will nominate the president in the event of a vacancy.”

Acting on these powers, the prime minister nominated Tariq Bugti for the post of president PHF. Following that nomination, the Congress was convened in Islamabad where 61 of the available 93 members reposed trust in Bugti and Rana Mujahid (as secretary).

“Mashhood has been given powers by the patron-in-chief to decide on the growing tension amongst the hockey circles on a breakaway federation that is working on its own by establishing a separate training camp in Karachi. Such a scenario is bringing a bad name to the country. The ministry has issued just one notification and that is the nomination of Tariq Bugti as the president PHF under the instruction of the prime minister. Since the coming international Azlan Shah Cup is not far away, there is a need to clarify the position at the earliest. The April 25 meeting has been convened to settle all such issues. Mashhood is expected to listen to the breakaway faction’s point of view before deciding on the matter,” a ministry official, when contacted, said.

Meanwhile, Dutch hockey coach Roelant Oltmans has joined the Pakistan camp training underway at the Bunda Ground on Tuesday. He supervised the camp in morning and evening sessions and has planned to reduce the total strength of the players from 57 to 27 within the next few days.