Shahnaz laments indifference of authorities

KARACHI: Pakistan national hockey team chief coach Shahnaz Sheikh has said it is unfortunate that the players preparing for qualifying rounds of Rio Olympics 2016 are not being paid even their basic salaries.
Talking to ‘The News’ on Sunday, he said not paying the players and failure to arrange international matches for them would hit the preparations very hard.
Shahnaz said that the authorities’ indifference was painful for the players as well as the team management. “How can I motivate them when they have not got their salaries and other benefits despite playing well and winning silver medals in big events without playing any single international match ahead of them,” Shahnaz Said.
He said Olympics are one of the biggest events of hockey and performing well there would revive the game in the country. “But if we failed to achieve the target it would be disastrous for our hockey. And our previous hard work would go in vain,” said Shahnaz, who is credited for the improved performance in Asian Games and Champions Trophy last year.
He said that time was passing fast and the team needed opportunities of playing international matches to identify weaknesses before the qualifying rounds.
He said the federal government and PHF should resolve the financial issues of the players so that the campaign to participate in the Rio Olympics was not hurt.
Shahnaz thanked Nadeem Omar, director Omar Associates for bearing the expenditure of sending the national team to participate in the Champions Trophy in India.
He also thanked PSB for facilitating the training camp in Islamabad.
Shahnaz arrived in the city along with the national team for the ceremony organised in their honour by Omar Associates for winning silver medals in Asian Games and Champions Trophy last year.