Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Tariq Hussain Bugti introduced his resignation on Thursday, citing mismanagement by the Pakistan Sports activities Board (PSB) in dealing with funds for worldwide tournaments, notably the Worldwide Hockey Federation (FIH) Professional League.
Addressing a press convention in Lahore, Bugti said that his resignation had already been submitted to the prime minister.
Blaming the sports activities board for the disaster, he mentioned funds allotted for the Professional League had been launched to the PSB however weren’t managed correctly, leading to logistical issues throughout excursions of Argentina and Australia.
Bugti maintained that the federation had shared schedules of the excursions prematurely and that monetary management rested with the PSB.
“After seven years, Pakistan hockey lastly acquired an opportunity to play within the Professional League, however as a consequence of a scarcity of funds, we struggled to satisfy obligations,” he mentioned, including that he personally paid $3,720 to clear excellent resort dues in Argentina.
He additionally referred to as for an unbiased inquiry, stating that the committee fashioned by the PSB had acted as “choose and jury”.
Referring to inside issues, he alleged that the staff captain had pressured gamers by exhibiting them messages from influential figures, after which the federation imposed a two-year ban on Ammad Shakeel Butt.
Relating to funding, he mentioned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had allotted Rs250 million for hockey, which was launched to the PSB. “Regardless of this, the hockey federation confronted main logistical challenges overseas,” he added.
He concluded by saying that mere resignation was not enough. “Pakistan’s popularity has been broken, and accountability have to be ensured.”
Naqvi meets hockey gamers
In the meantime, Inside Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who can be the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, met the hockey gamers.
A press release posted on the PCB’s X account mentioned the gamers shared with Naqvi the “disagreeable incidents” through the FIH Professional League, and the PCB chief expressed remorse over the “in poor health therapy” of the gamers.
“[We] will accommodate the hockey gamers in each approach,” the assertion quoted Naqvi as assuring.
In response to the assertion, he additionally assured full cooperation to “streamline issues of hockey” and issued directives to rearrange tickets, kits and resort lodging for the gamers for World Cup qualifiers in Egypt.
He mentioned the camp for the hockey gamers would begin from tomorrow (Friday) and directed that each one preparations for the coaching camp needs to be accomplished by tonight, based on the assertion.
The assertion mentioned he additionally instructed that the PCB ought to get the injured hockey gamers handled instantly, asking the gamers to focus solely on their sport.
“Pakistan’s respect is above all. We won’t permit the tarnishing of its honor below any circumstances,” he mentioned.
In response to the PCB assertion, Naqvi additionally handed over checks of Rs1 million every to the hockey gamers — a reward which was introduced for them for ending as runners-up in nationwide hockey tournaments.
“The hockey gamers thanked Naqvi for assembly and inspiring them,” the assertion mentioned.
Naqvi earlier additionally mentioned in a put up on social media platform X that he wouldn’t change into the PHF president however “we are going to help gamers until this turmoil ends”.
It was later reported that the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination’s (IPC) federal secretary, Mohiyuddin Ahmed Wani, had been appointed because the ad-hoc president of PHF.
Wani mentioned after his appointment that the governance mechanism of PHF can be improved and “in subsequent six weeks, we are going to put together a marketing strategy for the PHF, and we are going to take steps to run this federation on skilled grounds”.
“There isn’t a scarcity of assets, however the PHF is dealing with monetary administration points. We are going to work on this,” he mentioned and added that he would guarantee free, truthful and clear elections of the PHF.
Bugti’s resignation follows a public row between the PHF and the PSB over allegations Mismanagement during the national team’s participation in the second leg of the FIH Pro League in Hobart, Australia.
The Green Shirts returned to Lahore after suffering defeats against Germany and Australia, ending a winless campaign.
While the PHF maintained that logistical and financial responsibility rested with the PSB under Senate committee directives, a PSB official countered that sufficient funds had been provided and questioned the federation’s handling of arrangements.
PM Shehbaz had taken notice of the matter and ordered an immediate inquiry, while Federal Minister Rana Sanaullah constituted a committee to investigate the issue.
Both sides have welcomed the probe, although observers have called for a neutral and independent investigation to ensure transparency.
Additional input by Kashif Abbasi
