PHF takes control of Sattar Edhi stadium

By Our Correspondent
October 30, 2024
A representative image of a hockey game. — Reuters/file
A representative image of a hockey game. — Reuters/file

KARACHI: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Tariq Hussain Bugti and secretary Olympian Rana Mujahid have promised that international matches with strong teams would be organised in the country soon and departmental competitions would be revived.

They were addressing a press conference at Abdul Sattar Hockey stadium on Tuesday.

Bugti said that no one would be allowed to establish a parallel body of PHF, and strict action would be taken against those involved.

“We have got Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey stadium and PHF offices cleared of those elements who had occupied the PHF Karachi office and the stadium for past many months,” he said.

He alleged that the rival group stole record from his office and spread misinformation in Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) and International Hockey Federation (FIH) and tried to make the PHF controversial. They wanted to get Pakistan banned, Bugti said.

He said that PHF imposed life bans on former PHF officials Haider Hussain, Ali Abbas, Saleem Nazim, Nasir Ali, and Khalid Bashir. These people have no affiliation with Pakistan hockey in any way, he said.

Bugti thanked Chief Secretary Sindh, Corps Commander Karachi and Sindh government for getting hockey stadium cleared.

To a question, Bugti said that salaries of PHF employees both in Karachi and Lahore would be paid along with all dues as soon as possible.

Some PHF employees have not been paid their salaries for 7 months in Lahore and 9 months in Karachi.

Rana Mujahid said that hockey activities at Abdul Sattar Edhi stadium would be revived soon. The next training camp of Pakistan junior hockey team would be held in Karachi and domestic competitions would be held in Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey stadium, he said.

He said that PHF had invited Germany, South Korea and China to visit Pakistan in 2025 to play bilateral series and they agreed to visit Pakistan.

Rana Mujahid said that the agreement for the reconstruction of the stadium remained intact. “We are in contact with Sindh government in this regard,” he said.