COAS Cup prize money to boost hockey

KARACHI: The hockey community of the country has expressed pleasure at the prize money of Rs2.2 million given at the first COAS Challenge Cup by the Pakistan Army.
The directorate of sports of Army organised the COAS Cup and gave the winners NBP Rs1 million, the runners-up PIA Rs0.7 million and third position holders Army Seniors Rs0.5 million.
Several people associated with the game observed that they hoped the continuous decline of the game in the country would stop now.
They applauded the decision of Pakistan Army to promote the national game at a time when the other institutions were unwilling to patronise hockey.
Sources who wanted not to be named said that one of the most significant effect would be that the federal government would realise that without financial aid PHF cannot run the national game and prepare teams for major events.
The federal government has been unwilling to release funds to PHF due to previous mismanagement and wrongdoings, which resulted in Pakistan’s failure to qualify for 2014 World Cup.
The sources said that even now the government might not release Rs500 million demanded by PHF. But a handsome amount would be given to PHF for the preparation of qualifying rounds of Olympics 2016 and run the domestic affairs, they added.
Pakistan hockey team and PHF officials are likely to meet PM Nawaz Sahirf on February 11 and hope that their longstanding demands will be accepted.
The sources said the government might give Rs350 million to PHF after the meeting. Pakistan have won 64 medals in international hockey competitions, including three gold medals in Olympics besides four World Cups.
PHF has been facing a financial crisis and has not been able to pay the salaries of the players and the team management for one and a half years.
The COAS Cup prize money is a record in the domestic hockey events. Pakistan Army has a golden history in the national game. It has produced a number of hockey stars. Col Zafri, Brig Atif, Brig Hamidi, and Col Muddasir have been secretaries of PHF, which speaks volumes about the Army’s interest in the game.
Pakistan captain Muhammad Imran under whose leadership Pakistan recently won silver medals in Asian Games and Champions Trophy 2014 is also from Pakistan Army.