Director PHF Development calls for meeting to save hockey

Naveed said that it is not necessary that a good player will also be a good administrator.

LAHORE (APP):Director Development, Pakistan Hockey Federation, former Olympian Naveed Alam has called for calling the meeting of PHF to save the national game from further decline.

Addressing a news conference here on Tuesday, the PHF official came down hard on the PHF high ups, who are out of scene after such dismal performance of hockey team which failed to beat low-ranked Japan in the semifinals and also wasted the chance of winning gold medal and qualifying directly for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 in Japan.

“It is now essential to implement the Prime Minister’s policy in the Pakistan Hockey Federation in true letter and spirit to save the game from complete destruction,” he added. “I appeal to the Prime Minister, Imran Khan to give direction to make the PHF house in order, which, indeed, is dire need of the hour.

Without doing it, we can’t save sinking ship of Pakistan hockey, so the PM must come forward and may direct the concerned quarters to call the PHF meeting but also take the responsible persons to task, who brought Pakistan hockey to such a low,” he added.

Naveed said that it is not necessary that a good player will also be a good administrator. “Hockey can’t be run on whatsapp, instead the officials should have taken responsibility and come to offices and grounds to see what the actual position is and what are the things need to be improved? Irresponsible attitude of the PHF high ups is another major reason behind Pakistan hockey decline.”

He further said that losing the rights of hosting Six-Nation Hockey Tournament is also a result of irresponsible behavior of PHF top brass. “Pakistan had got the chance of hosting the Six-Nation Cup after a gap of 14 years but no proper preparation was made for that event, due to which Pakistan has lost the rights of hosting that event. Now who is responsible for such a big loss to Pakistan hockey?” he questioned.

He said that during the last three years, the federation received the grant of 80 crore which was not spent on hockey and players rather they were wasted on perks and privileges and foreign tours of PHF high ups.” Had the PHF spent the funds on the players and hockey, the standard of the national game would have been far better,” he asserted.

The former Olympian said that the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) has right to intervene and stop the incompetent PHF officials from further destroying the national game and play their important part to save it from further decline.

“I have plan of 100 days and if it is implemented in true letter and spirit, it can take Pakistan hockey to new heights and it will start producing better results at international level. Now the decision of fate of Pakistan hockey will be taken in the PHF house meeting, where the responsible persons have to answer,” he concluded.