An overview of Pakistan hockey team's ups and downs
PHF president Qasim Zia has received Rs 780 million
(Web Desk) – No body can deny that Pakistan s national sport hockey is facing a serious decline in the recent years but a question emerges who is responsible for this steady decline? The management? The players? Or, the government?
It s not a two-day but a story of years. How much money has been given to Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) from the government in the last 10 years and how many medals were won by the national hockey team are here.
As the parties in power overlook the PHF, so, what had been done by the previous governments for hockey is an important point.
During the Pakistan People s Party (PPP) tenure , PHF president Qasim Zia has received Rs 780 million from the federal government in 2008; but in response, Pakistan managed to win its third gold medal of the 2010 Asian Games after twenty years when it defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the final.
After winning the general election in 2013, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif s party Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PMLN) came into power. During PML-N term, the federal government allocated not a single penny for the Pakistan hockey but Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shehbaz Sharif had given the Rs 100 million to PHF. However, amid a brewing controversy over Pakistan hockey team’s performance, national team won the silver medal in hockey champions trophy 2014.
On the other hand, brigadier Khalid Sajjad (r) was also appointed as president of PHF by Nawaz administration.
Nonetheless, so far, Rs 420 has been allocated for hockey in last three years which soared up to Rs 540 million after adding the sponsors that have been received by incumbent administration.
A total sum of Rs 1.42 billion has been received by administration but in response, Pakistan have grabbed two gold medals in Asian Games in last ten years.
