ISLAMABAD, Jan 29 (APP):Former captain national hockey team Olympian Manzoor Junior Tuesday asked the government to hand over the reins of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to a strong administrator for reviving the lost glory of the national game.
“The current PHF set should be replaced. I believe that someone like the late Air Marshal Nur Khan should be given the task to change the fate of Pakistan hockey,” he said talking to media here at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium after meeting with Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Minister Dr Fehmida Mirza and secretary.
Manzoor Junior said he along with five other former hockey greats called on IPC minister and secretary and requested them to intervene to save Pakistan hockey.
“We’ve asked them to investigate as why national hockey team is not featuring in Pro Hockey League. The non-participation in the event has denied Pakistan a chance to qualify for 2020 Olympics,” he added.
“It is shameful for Pakistan hockey and also for us Olympians that Pakistan team will be out of the Olympic Games without trying to make any effort to qualify for these. I’m associated with Pakistan hockey since 1970. But I have never seen such a mismanagement. I appeal to Prime Minister Imran Khan to take notice of the situation.”
He said International Hockey Federation (FIH) had informed well in time Pakistan and other nations, who were failed to make it to the Olympics that they would get a chance to qualify for the coveted event by participating in the Pro Hockey League.
“But unfortunately Pakistan Hockey Federation remained in deep slumber and made no preparations to partake in the event (League),” he added.
He said the federation had pulled out of the event on the pretext that it had no funds to send the national team. “The federation has alleged that the federal government is not cooperating with it for funds and hence it is not sending Pakistan team for the Pro League.
“Whereas the reality is that the federal government has been providing funds to it. The provincial government of Sindh also came out for help and provided funds. Similarly, recently Haier Pakistan also
offered help, while the funds were also generated through other domestic means. Where have all this money gone?” he asked.
