Qasim’s arrest increases pressure on PHF chiefs

KARACHI: The arrest of former Olympian Qasim Zia by NAB has increased pressure on the current chiefs of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) who have been accused of embezzling funds.
Though the case in which NAB has arrested Qasim has no link with hockey, a group of former Olympians expects the investigation by NAB to “turn to the PHF any day”.
An Olympian said that it was disturbing for him that an Olympian who had been the president of PHF had been arrested on charges of corruption. “It looks the situation is going to be alarming for PHF officials,” he said.
Former players said they were saddened by a former Olympian’s arrest.
During the Qasim Zia period, more than Rs1 billion was given to PHF.
Directorate of Audit has conducted audit of the PHF accounts and submitted its report.
Sources said that a former official was sitting in the PHF office in those days when the audit process was continuing “in order to manipulate” documents.
The inquiry committee established by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has already recommended him to sack the PHF officials.
Many Olympians have been running a movement to dethrone the PHF’s bosses who have been accused of misusing huge amounts of funds during the last seven years while occupying different posts.
Besides, some insiders have prepared a comprehensive report about the wrongdoings allegedly committed in the PHF and dispatched it to PM’s inquiry committee, Directorate of Audit and other competent authorities.
One of the committee members has confirmed that he has received that report.
The group of former Olympians has long been demanding probe into the use of funds given to PHF during the seven-year period.
PHF’s poor performance can be judged from the fact that Pakistan could not qualify for World Cup 2014 and 2016 Rio Olympics.
The sources said that PHF chiefs were not ready to resign even after such big failures.
The PM’s committee has recommended sacking all the PHF management and bringing fresh administration. But the incumbent are trying to pressurise the federal government in different ways.
The preparation of Pakistan junior hockey team is badly affected by these investigations.
The federal government’s lethargic attitude is exacerbating the problems of senior and junior teams, said former players.
The junior team is to go to Malaysia to participate in the Junior Asia Cup in October. All activities of the junior team have remained suspended since October 2014. The former junior selection committee selected 35 players but their training camp remains suspended.
Olympian Samilluah said that the performance of the junior team in the World Cup would be vital for future of Pakistan’s hockey. “We are already out of major competitions of seniors. Now the juniors are our hope,” he said. He said major events of junior team were approaching but nothing was being done to train them. “There is very little time left before the Junior Asia Cup,” he said.