PHF to fight case against possible ban

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will fight its case against possible ban or any condition as the questionnaire sent by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) ahead of its Executive Board meeting was dealt with accordingly, revealed Brig (rtd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar to media here Monday.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president dispelled impression that country faced with international ban following its failure to honour the signed commitments to compete in the Pro League. “The FIH has recently sent us a questionnaire which we replied with according to ground realities. We hope and expect that the FIH Governing Board that meets on March 15-16 would not consider any sanctions, ban or conditions on Pakistan hockey. We will fight our case with all might,” he said.

Brig (rtd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar said when Pakistan signed commitments of playing Pro League, the federation had resources at its disposal. “Sadly that was not the case when the team actually was about to leave for Argentina to start first leg of the league. We would fight our case in the FIH Board meeting,” Brig (rtd) Khokhar who was also accompanied by the FIH Board member Shahbaz Ahmad, said.

The President PHF again complained against government failure to financially back and support the federation. “For the last 15 months, we have not received any grant from the federal government. The 100 million that was given by Sindh Government was diverted towards paying the debt, the federation owed. At the moment we just have around Rs 10 million in our kitty.”

When The News questioned on PHF president’s possible resignation in wake of stalemate between the government and federation, Brig (rtd) Khokhar refused to bow under pressure. “You are right the game of hockey would be ultimate sufferer in case of stalemate but I would not resign under any pressure. Whenever I feel I may resign but at the moment I have no intentions to resign. Some forces are bent upon to see me leaving the federation. These forces have been doing that since I took over the federation. No one has the powers to force me to resign.”

He said everyone’s effort should be to see the game of hockey regaining its lost glory. “I admit with open mind that hockey is struggling in the country because of no apparent system to groom and nourish talent. “I would definitely welcome all the suggestions to help the game stand on its feet. But at the moment we are struggling at all fronts. We have no finances and no required infrastructure under the federation possession. The PHF owes no hockey stadium, making it difficult for the federation to implement its own programme. The government has yet to fulfill its commitments to lay artificial turfs it promised earlier.”

Brig (rtd) Khokhar was also furious on the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), saying it always created hurdles in hockey promotion. “We even found it difficult to have boarding and lodging arrangement for players at the Pakistan Sports Complex vicinity.” The PHF president suggested government to invest on hockey through Ministry of IPC. “We are to give the government the plan and the government is open to spent money through Ministry.”