PHF chief not to give in to any pressure

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

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president dispelled the impression that the country is facing an international ban following its failure to honour the signed commitments to compete in the FIH Pro League.

“The FIH has recently sent us a questionnaire which we replied to according to the ground realities. We hope and expect that the FIH’s Executive 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.

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’s meeting,” Khokhar, who was also accompanied by FIH Board member Shahbaz Ahmed, said.

The PHF president again complained against government’s failure to financially support the federation.

“For the last 15 months, we have not received any grant from the federal government. Rs100 million that was given by Sindh government was diverted towards paying the debt, the federation owed. At the moment we just have around Rs10 million in the PHF’s kitty.”

When ‘The News’ questioned on PHF president’s possible resignation in the wake of stalemate between the government and federation, Khokhar refused to bow under pressure.

“You are right as 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 intention 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 power 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’s 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.”

The PHF president 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 arrangements for the players at the Pakistan Sports Complex vicinity.” The PHF president suggested the government to invest in hockey through the Ministry of IPC.