PHF receives Rs3.5 million from PSB

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) received an annual grant of Rs3.5 million as twelve more federations representatives were given cheques of grants at the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) on Thursday.

PSB DG Col (rtd) Asif Zaman handed over the cheques to the representatives of the federations.

PHF treasurer Ikhlaq Usmani collected the cheque.

The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) received Rs2.5 million while Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) got Rs2 million. The karate body got Rs2 million, while kabbadi federation secretary Sarwar Rana received Rs1.5 million.

Surprisingly, the shooting federation that has produced three direct Olympic qualifiers was given just Rs1 million. “It is surprising for us to see shooting federation getting such a low amount despite the fact that the top three shooters have made it to the Olympics,” an official of the federation said.

Though there was no mention in the press release issued by the PSB, the suspended Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) was also awarded the grant.

The other federations to receive the cheques were those of alpine, judo, weightlifting, tenpin bowling, wushu, bodybuilding and table tennis.

“While sharing the different points of under process National Sports Policy, the Director General apprised the representatives that the Government intends to constitute an independent Election Commission in consultation with the stakeholders. The proposed Election Commission will work independently and ensure free, fair and transparent election of every federation,” the PSB handout said.

The federation representatives were also told that an independent Sports Dispute Resolution Commission will also be established.

Asif Zaman said that 2021-22 has been declared as “The Year of Sports”. The DG also sought two-year activity plan along with targets from the sports federations. He said the government’s plan would be to see federations being more active and accountable.