PCB’s demand baffles PHF

KARACHI: PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed has said the federation would repay the loan of PCB when its financial position stabilised.

He told ‘The News’ he was surprised by PCB’s demand at this time “when we are unable to send our teams for foreign tours due to shortage of funds and are compelled to organise series between senior and junior teams to prepare them for big events.

“Whatever funds are given by the federal government in installments are spent on domestic hockey events and preparation of under-18, junior and senior teams for their international assignments,” said Shahbaz.

“So we are in a very difficult situation and are running the hockey affairs with the help of some sponsorship. We are passing through a reconstruction process. It was not us that took the money. Second, right now we are not in a position to pay the loan. When we are financially secure and our World Cup and Olympics targets are met, we will return the money of PCB, with thanks,” he said. 

The former PCB chief Lt Gen (rtd) Tauqir Zia gave PHF the money when it was in a financial crisis more than a decade ago. Since then PCB has had four chiefs — Shahryar Khan, Dr Nasim Ashraf, Ijaz Butt and Zaka Ashraf — but no one sent a notice to the PHF.

Nadeem Omar of Omar Associates bore all the expenses of Pakistan hockey team and its officials for Champions Trophy 2014 in India.

He donated a huge amount for this purpose and Sindh government and a political party also donated money for sending the team for the Champions Trophy. The Green-shirts won silver medal in the event.