Pakistan Hockey Faces Pay Dispute Ahead of FIH Pro League Matches

A significant pay dispute has emerged within Pakistan hockey, leading to threats from senior players to withdraw from the second phase of the FIH Pro League set for February. The players claim they have not received the promised daily allowances for their matches earlier this month in Argentina.

At least two members of the national men's team have communicated to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) that many players may not be available for upcoming games if the financial issues are not resolved promptly. One player expressed frustration, stating, "We were assured we would be paid 30,000 rupees daily allowance for the duration of the Pro League event in Argentina. Last week, we got the daily allowances in our accounts but at the rate of just 11,000 rupees, which is a sham."

The player further elaborated on the financial implications, noting, "If you look at the exchange rates, 30,000 means around 110 dollars, while 11,000 is just 40 dollars, which is a huge difference to us."

In December, Pakistan's national team participated in four matches during the FIH Pro League in Argentina but unfortunately lost all of them. The team is scheduled to compete in another four matches in February in Australia.

The PHF has stated that the daily allowances for all players and officials were provided by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), which operates under a policy that allocates a daily allowance of USD 40 for athletes participating in international events. Rana Mujahid, the Secretary of the PHF, explained, "The PHF policy is to pay players 30,000 daily allowance, but since the PSB is funding the entire expenses of the team for the two phases of the Pro League, we can't do much in this matter."

Mujahid also mentioned that after securing government approval, funds were allocated for the team's participation in the FIH Pro League. The PSB has covered the costs of tickets, hotel accommodations, and the daily allowances.

Pakistan's participation in the FIH Pro League followed their promotion from the Hockey Nations Cup held in Malaysia earlier in the year. New Zealand, which won the Hockey Nations Cup against Pakistan, was unable to join the Pro League, leading to an invitation extended to the runners-up, Pakistan, who accepted the opportunity to compete.

As tensions rise over the payment dispute, the future of Pakistan hockey, particularly in the context of international competitions, remains uncertain. The players' demands for fair compensation highlight ongoing challenges faced by athletes in the nation and raise questions about the management and financial support of sports in Pakistan.