A major payment dispute has thrown Pakistan's national hockey team into turmoil, with senior players threatening to boycott the upcoming second phase of the prestigious FIH Pro League scheduled for February. The core issue revolves around unpaid daily allowances promised to the squad during their recent tour.
The Heart of the Dispute: Broken Financial Promises
According to reports, several members of the men's national team have sent a stern message to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), declaring their unavailability for the next leg of the Pro League unless their financial grievances are addressed. The players allege they received only a fraction of the daily allowance they were assured for participating in the first phase held in Argentina earlier this month.
One player, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed the stark discrepancy. "We were guaranteed a daily allowance of 30,000 Pakistani rupees for the Pro League event in Argentina. However, last week, we received payments at the rate of just 11,000 rupees," the player stated. He emphasized the significant impact of this shortfall, noting, "At current exchange rates, 30,000 rupees translates to about 110 US dollars, while 11,000 is merely 40 dollars. This is a huge difference for us."
Official Stance: PHF Points to Funding Body
In response to the brewing crisis, the PHF has shifted responsibility to the government's sports funding body. PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid explained that while the federation's policy is to pay players 30,000 rupees per day, the expenses for the Pro League's two phases are entirely funded by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).
"The PSB follows its own policy of providing a daily allowance of 40 US dollars to athletes traveling abroad for competitions," Mujahid said. He added that the PSB also covered all other major expenses, including international travel tickets and hotel accommodations, after receiving necessary government approvals for the team's participation.
Background and What's at Stake
This financial standoff casts a shadow over Pakistan's hard-earned place in the FIH Pro League. The team secured promotion to this elite competition by finishing as runners-up in the Hockey Nations Cup held in Malaysia earlier this year. Champions New Zealand were unable to accept the Pro League invitation, which then passed to Pakistan.
The national team's recent performance in Argentina was challenging, with the side losing all four of its matches. The team is now scheduled to play four more matches in Australia during the February phase of the league. The threatened boycott, if it materializes, would be a severe blow to Pakistan's international hockey commitments and reputation.
The situation highlights the ongoing financial and administrative challenges facing sports federations in the region. The players' ultimatum sets a tense deadline for the PHF and PSB to find a resolution before the team's next international assignment.
