Pakistan hockey team faces financial strain for Asian Championship

LAHORE: The President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Tariq Bugti revealed that the national hockey team was heading to China for the Asian Hockey Championship on tickets acquired through credit due to financial difficulties.

In a press briefing in Lahore, Bugti stated that the funds were expected to come through “soon” and called on Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to announce a dedicated financial package for hockey.

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Bugti expressed concern about the upcoming match against India during the Asian Hockey Championship, acknowledging the challenge posed by their higher ranking. The president said that national team needed additional support to better itself.

The PHF president shared with the press that he planned to travel to Karachi next week to address administrative issues within the sport federation. He said the aim was to reclaim control of the Edhi Hockey Stadium from its current management and restore the federation’s authority over the venue.

Bugti also mentioned that the Inspector General of Sindh was preparing a formal request to take control of the Edhi Hockey Stadium.

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He noted that the government approved measures to counter attempts to create rival hockey federations, indicating steps towards stabilising the sport’s administration.