LAHORE – In a significant move to bolster the morale of Pakistan’s national sport, Mohsin Naqvi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Federal Interior Minister, distributed cheques worth Rs 1 million each to the members of the national hockey team. The ceremony took place in Lahore on Thursday, fulfilling a promise made to the players following their impressive performance as runners-up in a recent major tournament. The financial reward comes at a critical time for the squad, which has recently faced administrative and logistical hurdles during international tours.
1. Support Amidst Federation Turmoil
Beyond the financial gesture, Mohsin Naqvi held a detailed meeting with the players to address the “unpleasant incidents” and mismanagement they reportedly faced during their recent tour of Australia for the FIH Pro League.
-
Institutional Backing: Naqvi assured the players of full institutional support, pledging that the PCB would assist in streamlining hockey affairs until the current administrative “turmoil” within the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is resolved.
-
No Ambition for Leadership: Taking to social media (X), Naqvi clarified that he has no intention of becoming the PHF President, but remains committed to the welfare of the players as a national responsibility.
2. Immediate Relief and Logistics
Recognizing the urgency of upcoming international commitments, specifically the World Cup Qualifiers in Egypt, the Chairman issued several executive directives:
-
Travel & Accommodation: Immediate arrangements for air tickets, high-quality playing kits, and hotel stays.
-
Medical Care: Injured players will now receive specialized medical treatment and rehabilitation under the supervision of the PCB’s professional medical staff.
-
Training Facilities: A dedicated training camp has been ordered to commence immediately to ensure the team is match-ready.
3. Restoration of Leadership
In a related development, the newly appointed interim head of the PHF, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, has officially revoked the two-year ban on national captain Ammad Shakeel Butt. The ban, which was imposed by the previous management following the captain’s public outcry over player mistreatment, was dismissed to ensure the team travels to Egypt with its full strength and leadership intact.
4. A Vision for Revival
During the meeting, Naqvi emphasized that the dignity of the national team is non-negotiable.
“Pakistan’s honor comes first. We will not allow the country’s dignity to be compromised under any circumstances. You should focus only on the game; we will handle the rest.” — Mohsin Naqvi
This cross-sport collaboration between the PCB and the national hockey team is being seen by fans as a rare but necessary lifeline for a sport that has historically brought Pakistan four World Cup titles and three Olympic gold medals.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did Mohsin Naqvi give Rs 1 million to the hockey team?
Mohsin Naqvi rewarded each player with Rs 1 million to honor their runner-up finish in a recent major tournament and boost team morale.
2. What issues did the team face during the Australia tour?
Players reported administrative mismanagement and logistical challenges during the FIH Pro League tour in Australia.
3. Will Mohsin Naqvi become PHF President?
No. Naqvi clarified on social media that he has no intention of becoming President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation but will support players institutionally.
4. What support has been announced for upcoming qualifiers?
The team will receive proper travel arrangements, quality kits, hotel stays, medical care, and a dedicated training camp ahead of the Egypt World Cup qualifiers.
5. What happened to captain Ammad Shakeel Butt’s ban?
The two-year ban on Ammad Shakeel Butt was revoked by the interim PHF leadership to ensure full team strength for international competitions.
