The clouds over Pakistan hockey have lifted as national team players, after securing payment guarantees, commit to the FIH Men’s Pro-League second leg. What began as a payment row escalating to training boycotts for almost a fortnight now stands resolved, per a key report from Thursday.
In Islamabad, PHF’s Rana Mujahid assured the squad of $114 daily stipends for February’s Hobart clashes, backed by 25 crore PKR from the Sports Board. This infusion followed the board’s ire over December’s first leg lapses, mandating immediate dues clearance.
Speaking anonymously to Telecom Asia Sport, a player lamented, ‘PHF stonewalled us until the board stepped in. We boycotted to protect our tour and income—hockey is life for us.’ While this deal safeguards the next phase, past arrears linger without solid vows.
Pakistan’s itinerary includes double-headers: Australia on the 10th and 13th, Germany on the 11th and 14th. They stepped in post-New Zealand’s financial exit, leveraging Nations Cup silver.
First-leg woes persisted with losses across the board—Netherlands twice, Argentina twice—exposing frailties. Amid a legacy of four world and three Olympic golds, the 2012 Olympic miss marks a lean era, making this resolution a vital step forward.