ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): A government committee has directed the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to engage with the federal ministry of finance to discuss the feasibility of the national side’s participation in the FIH Pro League.
The committee, headed by the PM’s advisor on Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC), Rana Sanaullah, was constituted by the premier after the Federation approached the government for Rs350m as funds to ensure Pakistan’s representation in the competition.
FIH had invited Pakistan to participate in the Pro League following the withdrawal of Nations Cup winners New Zealand from the event due to financial constraints.
Why National team’s participation in FIH Pro League?
On Tuesday, a meeting saw Rana Sanaullah, IPC secretary Mohyuddin Wani, the additional finance secretary, and officials of the Pakistan Sports Board mull over the pros and cons of the national team’s participation in the Pro League. After the meeting, the committee asked the PHF to submit its response by August 16.
During the meeting, according to sources, PHF officials pleaded that the tournament would help Pakistan compete against the world’s best sides, when asked how the tournament would be beneficial.
The event features the likes of hockey giants Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Netherlands and Spain.
PHF officials are likely to meet representatives of the finance ministry on Wednesday, with proposed expenditure sheets and availability of funding to come under discussion. The meeting will be followed by the government committee’s final decision over the issue.
