KARACHI: The pakistan hockey federation (PHF) finally settled its players’ dues, distributing around 15 million rupees to 30 athletes, who had not been paid for five months.
A player confirmed receiving the payment and said it was difficult for all of them to survive without per diems or PHF fees for the past six months as many of them had lost their jobs with their hockey teams departmental.
“The arrears were their per diems and other expenses from a domestic training camp and the Asian Cup and Commonwealth Games this year,” the official said.
The payments come on the eve of the establishment of the national training camp in Karachi for the Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia in early November.
“At least now players can focus on their skills and training instead of worrying about financial issues,” said PHF secretary Haider Hussain.
Haider, who was only recently elected secretary of the PHF, said shortly after taking over the first priority for him and the president of the PHF, brigadier (read) Khalid Sajjad Khokar had to settle the dues of 30 players odd.
Hockey in Pakistan has been facing a financial crisis for 5-6 years which has severely affected the preparation and performance of players especially in international events.
The Pakistan team failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup in India and finished seventh in the CTM in Birmingham.
A player confirmed receiving the payment and said it was difficult for all of them to survive without per diems or PHF fees for the past six months as many of them had lost their jobs with their hockey teams departmental.
“The arrears were their per diems and other expenses from a domestic training camp and the Asian Cup and Commonwealth Games this year,” the official said.
The payments come on the eve of the establishment of the national training camp in Karachi for the Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia in early November.
“At least now players can focus on their skills and training instead of worrying about financial issues,” said PHF secretary Haider Hussain.
Haider, who was only recently elected secretary of the PHF, said shortly after taking over the first priority for him and the president of the PHF, brigadier (read) Khalid Sajjad Khokar had to settle the dues of 30 players odd.
Hockey in Pakistan has been facing a financial crisis for 5-6 years which has severely affected the preparation and performance of players especially in international events.
The Pakistan team failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup in India and finished seventh in the CTM in Birmingham.