PHF Funds Surge to PKR 400 Million; National Team’s Participation in World Events Guaranteed, Says Mohyuddin Wani

ISLAMABAD, Jul 02 (APP): Federal Secretary for Inter-Provincial Coordination and President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Mohyuddin Wani, has vowed to revive the national sport and guarantee the team’s robust participation in upcoming global tournaments.

He announced that the PHF’s funds have now reached PKR 400 million, emphasizing that this substantial amount will be utilized entirely for modern player training and travel expenses.

He made these remarks while addressing an event organized by the Rawalpindi Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA) in collaboration with Serena Hotels to commemorate “International Sports Journalists Day” and the oath-taking ceremony of RISJA’s newly elected officials.

Wani clarified that PKR 110 million has already been spent on players over the last three months. Furthermore, the Under-18 boys’ team and the Under-21 team are scheduled to be sent abroad for international competitions within the next two weeks.

Reflecting on the federation’s prior financial constraints, the PHF President shared that when he assumed charge, the federation’s account held a meager PKR 2 million. Through relentless efforts and collaboration with government and private sector sponsors, they successfully elevated the funds to PKR 400 million.

He strictly noted that no foreign tours for federation officials, including himself, would be sponsored using these funds. Instead, every single resource will be dedicated solely to the betterment of hockey.

Outline the roadmap for the national team’s future and international commitments, Wani stated that Pakistan’s participation in the Hockey World Cup, Korea Tour, Asian Games, and the China Cup would be ensured at all costs.

To rectify the team’s shortcomings and elevate the sport to international standards, the PHF is hiring specialized international coaches. “International trainers specializing in goalkeeping, psychological conditioning, and physical fitness will train our team and local coaches so that our indigenous coaches can take full responsibility for training in two years,” he added.

The ceremony was attended by RISJA President Abubakar Talat, Senior Vice President Zulfiqar Baig, Vice Presidents Zahid Awan and Asghar Ali Mubarak, General Secretary Ambreen Ali, Senior Joint Secretary Zeeshan Qayyum, Joint Secretaries Awais Latif and Aqeel Anjum, and Finance Secretary Nasir Abbas Naqvi. Governing body members Gabriel D’Souza, Awais Abbasi, Kiran Khan, and Asim Riaz were also present, alongside senior sports journalist Mohee Shah, Election Committee Chairman Shahryar Khan, Rana Farhan Aslam, Shakir Abbasi, and Asim Jilani.

At the conclusion of the event, the newly elected President, Abubakar bin Talat, and General Secretary, Ambreen Ali, thanked the members for their vote of confidence. They pledged that the new leadership would further strengthen the association’s professional traditions, unity, transparency, and dignity, while continuing its active journey to promote sports journalism, reinforce professional ethics, and foster effective collaboration among journalists in the country.