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ISLAMABAD, Jun 26 (APP): Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary General Rana Mujahid on Thursday said that Pakistan has been offered a place in the prestigious FIH Pro League but the federation lacks financial resources to ensure national team’s participation in it.
Addressing a joint press conference along side Director General Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Yasir Pirzada here at Pakistan Sports Complex, Rana Mujahid said Pakistan, who finished as runners-up in the recently-held FIH Nations Cup after losing the final to New Zealand, have been invited to join the elite Pro League, but participation requires a budget of USD 2.5 million.
“It is a great opportunity for Pakistan team to return to top-tier international hockey and improve its profile. We have requested the Prime Minister to support us financially and have also made an appeal to Field Marshal Asim Munir for assistance,” he said.
He said Pakistan’s performance in the FIH Nations Cup was satisfactory and showed the potential of the national side.
“If we commit and then back out due to financial issues, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) could impose ban on us. We have already written to the FIH and requested time to make a final decision on our team’s participation [in FIH Pro League],” he said.
He added that former Olympian Tahir Zaman would submit a strategic plan for the senior hockey team’s development.
To a question, he said PTCL and Ufone were supporting the PHF as sponsors, but more robust funding was needed to ensure participation at the highest level.
He revealed that Pakistan would take part in the upcoming Junior Asia Cup adding that the squad for that would be announced on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, DG PSB Yasir Pirzada said hockey was the country’s national sport and the board would do whatever it could to support it.
“The PHF has submitted its proposal, which we will review,” he said.
“The PSB is committed to doing whatever possible within its available resources to support hockey, while ensuring that all work remains within the government’s policy framework,” he added.
He said the kind of money being spent on cricket could not be compared with hockey or other sports.