[PICTURES] Pakistan Hockey team finds a sponsor until 2020

[Abdullah719]

If the Pakistan team could not take part in the 2016 Junior World Cup due to political reasons, the senior team might miss the World Cup this month due to financial reasons. Cash-strapped Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) does not have enough money in its kitty to attend the Bhubaneswar event, which will be played between November 28 and December 16.

PHF had approached the Pakistan Cricket Board for a loan to send its team for hockey’s mega event, but the country’s cricket body turned the federation down, saying that they were yet to repay the Rs 1 crore loan taken earlier.

If sources are to be believed, PHF has now written to the Imran Khan-government for a Rs 8 crore grant so that they can participate in the World Cup.

Former Pakistan international and PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed, nevertheless, is optimistic about government’s response. Although, Shahbaz confirmed that PHF was indeed going through a deep financial crisis and will not be able to send the team on its own.

“The news regarding Pakistan hockey’s financial crises is true, I will not deny that. But we are working on it. I have written to the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination and expecting that it will help us travel to Bhubaneswar. We will go before the people of Pakistan and the Pakistan government to get the required funding and play the tournament. Personally, I am confident that the team will travel to India,” Shahbaz told Mirror.

PHF’s financial situation is so bad that the team was asked to vacate the hotel on the day of semi-final during the recently-held Asian Champions Trophy in Muscat, where weather forced India-Pakistan to share the winner’s trophy. Sources revealed that it was Imran Khan who had intervened during the Muscat episode to save PHF from embarrassment.

If sources close to Pakistan hockey are to be believed, the Pakistan government will most likely turn down PHF’s funding request. “Most likely the Imran Khan-government will reject their request. The government is not happy with the casual approach to World Cup preparation. The camp, which was expected to begin at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore on November 2, began on November 7. Even on Wednesday, not all players reported for the camp. The players are reluctant to join the camp due to uncertainty,” the source told Mirror.

https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/s...d-cup-in-bhubaneswar/articleshow/66546272.cms

 

[Savak]

Absolutely pathetic state of affairs. PHF is ultimately to blame, they were responsible for managing hockey in the country but they failed.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Field Hockey is a cash starved sport, difficult to be financially sustainable especially without a super successful league. Even Hockey India was in financial disarray till 2015, that was the year when we first made profit after a decent league (not very successful though like for other sports), plus Coal India and Odisha State Government became generous sponsors . Imran Khan government must step in and finance the team, 8 crores PKR is peanuts considering the fact that field hockey is Pakistan's national sport. In the long term hope PHF gets its house in order, hockey without Pakistan will be sad to follow.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Absolutely shameful :/

 

[Badsha]

Unfortunately there's no money in Hockey. They'd have to re-brand the sport and start a new league or something.

 

[Syed1]

Sharam ka muqaam hai

 

[Slog]

its our national sport so govt has to step in

 

[Abdullah719]

PCB can’t help PHF, Mani tells Tauqir

LAHORE: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Ehsan Mani on Thursday expressed board’s inability to bail out the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) from the ongoing financial crisis, newly appointed hockey team head coach Tauqir Dar revealed on Thursday.

Mani’s refusal was due to an audit objection against a similar grant issued to PHF in 2000 by the PCB which still remains outstanding.

However, Tauqir added that Mani assured him that in his capacity as the head of the prime minister’s task force for sports, he will ask the government to help the struggling national hockey body.

It is feared that the Pakistan hockey team will not be able to feature in the this month’s World Cup, set to be held in India, due to financial issues.

The PHF has failed to pay the players their allowances for the recently concluded Asian Champions Trophy and also does not have enough in the kitty to cover travel, accommodation and training expenses of the team at the all-important event.

Tauqir said he requested Mani to ask the government to pay the required expenses directly and not necessarily through the PHF and that the federation will have no objection to that.

The PHF had also requested the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) as well as written to the prime minister’s secretariat for immediate release of a Rs 82million grant but have not received any response from either.

The federation is also facing criticism from some former Olympians for not properly using the massive grants totalling to Rs 800million it had received from the government in the last four years.

Meanwhile, as the national side prepared for the World Cup in a training camp, the PHF brought in popular musicians to ‘motivate’ the players.

Pop star Ali Zafar, Waris Baig, popular Punjabi singer Malkoo and singer Nirmal Roy visited the camp on Thursday.

The stars spoke separately to the players and lamented that Pakistan’s national game is not being given the patronage and recognition it deserves and that even Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup is in doubt due to insufficient funds.

The showbiz luminaries spoke words of encouragement for the players and expressed hope that despite all the odds, Pakistan team will do well at the World Cup.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1444385/pcb-cant-help-phf-mani-tells-tauqir

 

[Bhaijaan]

I think India should let Pakistan participate in hockey world cup free of cost. That's the best we can do for them and we must in the name of friendship.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Why doesn't the entire PHF board just resign. Let people from outside come in and rebuild it.

I wouldn't give a dime to this administration or any other unless there is complete top down review and a plan in place.

 

[Yossarian]

I think India should let Pakistan participate in hockey world cup free of cost. That's the best we can do for them and we must in the name of friendship.

If only from a financial point of view, the International Hockey Federation should step in and help. After all, surely the prospect of Pakistan not playing, especially if there was a scheduled match between India and Pakistan that were to be canceled due to Pakistan's non-participation, would be a considerable financial loss given the interest, not least amongst sponsors and broadcaster, that a Pakistan v India match would generate despite it being only field hockey.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Sharam ka muqaam hai

Bahut hi nazuk surat e haal hai.

 

[Swashbuckler]

If only from a financial point of view, the International Hockey Federation should step in and help. After all, surely the prospect of Pakistan not playing, especially if there was a scheduled match between India and Pakistan that were to be canceled due to Pakistan's non-participation, would be a considerable financial loss given the interest, not least amongst sponsors and broadcaster, that a Pakistan v India match would generate despite it being only field hockey.

Both are in different pools and are unlikely to meet. The format has completely changed compared to previous years, 4 pools now compared to 2 in earlier editions and we are in different groups.

Also not much financial loss because this sport has very little money/sponsors and indifferent broadcasters. Pakistan not playing won't make any difference. Imran Khan has to step in and cover the finance, it is a question of national pride.

 

[Bhaijaan]

If only from a financial point of view, the International Hockey Federation should step in and help. After all, surely the prospect of Pakistan not playing, especially if there was a scheduled match between India and Pakistan that were to be canceled due to Pakistan's non-participation, would be a considerable financial loss given the interest, not least amongst sponsors and broadcaster, that a Pakistan v India match would generate despite it being only field hockey.

IHF is answerable to all hockey nations. It can't give extra favour to one nation. Like some poster mentioned though being a matter of national pride Immy Khan must step up and bail out Pakistan hockey for once. I would welcome if India can offer some help too being the host but chances are thin because of the right wing govt at helm. The same people who wish muslims to be butchered in India can't be expected to do a small friendly favour for Pakistan, a muslim country.

 

[PakLFC]

IK should do something here. He seems to be completely silent on this and many other things. I know he has a lot to deal with but he knew that before the election. Never thought our national Sport would become bankrupt!

 

[Pakistanian]

The government should help them out but only if they agree to being audited.

 

[Yossarian]

IHF is answerable to all hockey nations. It can't give extra favour to one nation. Like some poster mentioned though being a matter of national pride Immy Khan must step up and bail out Pakistan hockey for once. I would welcome if India can offer some help too being the host but chances are thin because of the right wing govt at helm. The same people who wish muslims to be butchered in India can't be expected to do a small friendly favour for Pakistan, a muslim country.

Both are in different pools and are unlikely to meet. The format has completely changed compared to previous years, 4 pools now compared to 2 in earlier editions and we are in different groups.

Also not much financial loss because this sport has very little money/sponsors and indifferent broadcasters. Pakistan not playing won't make any difference. Imran Khan has to step in and cover the finance, it is a question of national pride.

I believe governments should stay out of sports. You can't have it both ways. You can't on the one hand expect politicians to finance sportsmen and sportswomen using money taken from taxpayers, the majority of whom are much poorer than the sportsmen being given the money to, and then demand that the same politicians shouldn't have a say in the management and running of the sport, and how that money that's come from the taxpayers is used

Besides, I'd expect, nay demand, that every single spare $, £, Rupee ...of taxpayers money that some would like to be given to sportsmen, should instead be used for the education, healthcare and welfare of the poor and needy, or spent on infrastructure projects that benefits the whole country, especially in a poor country like Pakistan.

If a sport can't financially stand on its own two feet, it means that the public are not supporting it by not attending matches, by not being interested in watching it on tv (and hence why broadcasters and sponsors won't cough up), by not buying any merchandise..etc.
So why should the same public expect it to be a matter of 'national pride'? It's childish logic to argue otherwise.

 

[DeadBall]

This could be the hockey "Blessing in Disguise" version of the cricket threads.

 

[Greenstorm]

I guess the president of PHF(Khalid Sajjad Khokar) deliberately tried to remain under the radar and did not actively requested for grants from the new government. Probably, that is because Mr Khokar was afraid of losing his job had he made a direct contact with the government (because he was appointed by PMLN government, has kept his job for years without performance and had Imran Khan became aware of that he would have been fired by now). Even right now, PHF secretary and hockey legend Shahbaz Sr. is at the forefront, asking for funds and making noise on media while PHF president is nowhere to be seen.

I do not think that Imran Khan even knows what is happening in Pakistan hockey, he neither have the time for it and it is possible that no one has brought this issue in his notice either. PHF was always running on grants from the government and I do not see why present government won't allocate them money and that too for a world cup.

 

[JaDed]

Is there any sports ministry?

 

[MenInG]

Good news

Haier Pakistan become Title Sponsor of Pakistan Hockey team and PHF til 2020.
Javed Afridi (Zalmi) and PHF President have signed MoU.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good news for hockey in Pakistan as Haier Pakistan becomes the main sponsor of the Pakistan Hockey team and Pakistan Hockey Federation till 2020 <a href="https://t.co/EVCheImVDy">pic.twitter.com/EVCheImVDy</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1061286708371697664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Mission to bring Pakistan Hockey back to its glory. Javed Afridi after promoting cricket has stepped up to promote Hockey in the same manner. Haier Pakistan has become the title sponsor for Pakistan Hockey Team & Pakistan Hockey Federation till 2020. Haier and PHF sign MOU. Together with PHF, we will bring Pakistan Hockey back to its long lost glory, Javed Afridi.

To bring Pakistan Hockey back to its glory, Haier Pakistan has taken the step to fulfil this mission. Haier Pakistan has agreed to sponsor the PHF and Hockey Team will 2020. Pakistan Hockey Federation officials met Chairman Peshawar Zalmi and Haier CEO, Javed Afridi to bring this deal into reality. The MOU ceremony was held in Lahore. Javed Afridi said on this occasion that "Hockey is our national sport and we are recognized throughout the world because of it. In the past, Pakistan has won 4 World Cups, 3 Champions Trophy and 3 times Olympic Gold Medalist. This is a wondrous feast for all of us as a nation. He also said that "Pakistan has enormous hockey talent and we will soon climb the ranks again in our national sport. Haier Pakistan will sponsor the team and PHF till 2020 and will remain the title sponsor for both of these entities. During this tenure, we will support them for their International events, home series and domestic events as well. President of PHF, Mr. Khalid Sajjad Khokhar and Secretary Shahbaz Sr. said that "Haier Pakistan supported PHF and the Hockey team when they were in dire need of such support. This is a step in the right direction and this will motivate youngsters to proudly participate in Hockey as they will see a bright future ahead.

 

[MenInG]

Kit Unveiling Ceremony of the Pakistan Hockey Team held at Haier ahead of their departure to India. "We are really hopeful that the players will perform exceptionally well at the World Cup", Javed Afridi.

Pakistan's Hockey Team sponsor Haier Pakistan arranged a formal kit unveiling ceremony before their departure to India to play the World Cup. The ceremony was held in their honor and the National heroes along with the Hockey Federation management attended the event. Chairman, Peshawar Zalmi & CEO Haier, Mr. Javed Afridi warmly welcomed the esteemed guests to the ceremony. During his speech, he said that "Pakistan Hockey Team has brought great prestige to the nation by winning 4 World Cups, 3 Champions Trophy & 3 Olympic Gold Medals in the past. I am hopeful that they will bring back the prestige ahead of the World Cup being held in India and perform really well." The Hockey Federation Management along with the Pakistan Hockey players thanked Mr. Javed Afridi, Peshawar Zalmi & Haier management for all their efforts.

Haier & PHF signed an MOU in which Haier Pakistan will be the title sponsor of Pakistan Hockey Team till 2020.

 

[MenInG]

 

[nextover666666]

That's is a very nice kit if anyone knows how I can get this online it would be make my day lol this is such a good get well done Haier sponser

 

[MABA]

The kits look nice but did Javed Afridi actually have them put the "Zalmi" logo on the left side of their uniform. The man takes every opportunity he gets to build the brand value of his team.

 

[MenInG]

LAHORE: Holding the present Pakistan Hockey Federation officials responsible for national team’s miserable performance in the ongoing World Cup where the green-shirts were ruthlessly knocked out by Belg*ium, former Olympians Manzoor-ul-Hasan Senior and Samiullah Khan on Wednesday said regime change is mandatory for the revival of Pakistan hockey.

Placed in pool ‘D’, Mohammad Rizwan Senior-led Pakistan failed to record even a single win in the preliminary round. They lost the opener to Germany 1-0, barely drew with Malaysia 1-1 and were thrashed 5-1 by the Netherlands. And it was all over for Pakistan in the cross-over knockout match against Belgium who just toyed with the former four-time world champions to breeze into the quarter-finals with a facile 5-0 victory.

“The pathetic results produced by Pakistan at the World Cup shows complete lack of planning and preparation by the management. Therefore, the PHF officials should immediately resign; and if they don’t, the government should sack them,” both Manzoor and Samiuallh said while talking to Dawn.

“Not even in one match Pakistan performed like an integrated unit; rather it looked as if individuals or groups [within a team] are playing,” lamented Manzoor. “Yes, Pakistan started off well against Germany but in a World Cup no team can make an impact on the basis of good show in just one match. You need to demonstrate high-quality game consistently in all outings to create chances for yourself to advance.”

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD

A disgruntled Manzoor held the federation — whom he claimed did not even develop domestic hockey — responsible for the disaster Pakistan went through in the 16-nation showpiece at Bhubaneswar.

“The PHF officials and the team management should immediately resign and if they don’t go the government should take necessary action to send them home,” he insisted.

“Instead of preparing a world-class team, the current PHF management has been busy to form parallel bodies at district and provincial levels to get votes in order to remain in the federation,” he alleged.

“Furthermore, the PHF has completely failed to develop infrastructure at domestic level, and this is the reason Pakistan hockey has undergone alarming decline in recent years.”

Meanwhile noting that Pakistan delivered their worst performance at the mega event, Samiullah emphasised the present PHF regime must leave the scene if the country is to see the national team qualify for the 2020 Olympics.

“The PHF made a mockery of the affairs by failing to appropriately prepare the team [for a major event like the World Cup] during its tenure, and has been taking decisions on ad hoc basis,” Samiullah said.

“Pakistan lost their opener to Germany, though by a close margin. However, after this match, rather than looking to bring improvement in weak areas, we started praising the team for a small-margin defeat. And the results in the next games exposed all the shortcomings.

“The current PHF management should say goodbye to the federation and the government should bring in better people [to manage the game] as time is running out for us to qualify for the 2020 Olympics,” Samiullah warned.

Responding to a question whether the approach adopted by the government — which did not rescue a cash-strapped PHF prior to the World Cup — towards the national game was right, Samiullah defended the government stance, saying “Current PHF officials could not maintain their reputation to receive financial support from the government.”

But when insisted that it (hockey) was a matter of national importance and the government should have played its due role, Samiullah agreed but said there must be a proper system according to which the PHF should be run smoothly in case of change in government.

Underlining that the PHF management — rather than concentrating on building a strong team — has been running its affairs on adhoc basis, Samiullah said the induction of Tauqir Dar (head coach) and Danish Kaleem (assistant coach) at the eleventh hour before the national camp for the World Cup started reflects poor planning by the federation.

He added that the PHF also raised a developing squad but it had failed to even produce a single player from it despite spending millions of rupees on the activity. “Kamran Ashraf, the coach of the developing squad, has also disappeared from the scene.”

https://www.dawn.com/news/1451064/ex-olympians-want-regime-change-at-phf-after-world-cup-disaster

 

[the Great Khan]

hur cheez ad hoc. the whole country runs on a short term basis. Its sheer stupidity but we all know they have sucked the federation dry. They dont pay the players, spend money on infrastructure or look to nurture talent. they are unfit for purpose and should be replaced by a new federation.

 

[MenInG]

Haier Pakistan & Zalmi Foundation have taken the step to revive hockey in Pakistan. They hope to bring back the long lost glory of the sport. Haier sponsored the Hockey Team till 20202 and will now initiate the Haier Hockey Open. The tournament begins from 17th December 2018. Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Nepal & Pakistan will participate in the tournament.

Javed Afridi in his statement said that "We will play a pivotal role in the development of all sports in Pakistan." We need national spirit and a patriotic approach to this game. We have to start working and take ownership of our national sport. Only then can we pave way for glory. This event will pave way for more International level events in the future. He further added that Hockey is our national sport and Zalmi Foundation will always be supportive. The opening match will be played between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan on 17th December. Pakistan President's XI will play against Nepal on the same day.

18th Dec Kazakhstan vs Nepal
Pakistan President's XI vs Uzbekistan

19th Dec Afghanistan vs Kazakhstan

20th Dec Uzbekistan vs Nepal

21st Dec Nepal vs Afghanistan
Pakistan President's XI vs Kazakhstan

22nd December Afghanistan vs Pakistan President's XI
Kazkhstan vs Uzbekistan

The tournament starts from 17th December 2018 in National Hockey Stadium, Lahore.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Was really nice of Javed Afridi to step IN and sponsor our national sport. I hope things start to improve now. Only then it will be good for Pakistan.

Haier sponsored the Hockey Team till 20202 and will now initiate the Haier Hockey Open.

Little typo there

 

[nextover666666]

Pakistani goalkeeper Imran Butt on Thursday has announced that he has retired from International Hockey even though I'm not his biggest fan would like to thank him for serving Pakistan hockey and wish him the best of luck moving forward

 

[SensiblePakFan]

We need to hold a Pakistan Hockey League or Pakistan Hockey Super League asap, international players are willing to come, its just that it keeps getting delayed due to god knows what. Thats the only thing that will make this Board some badly needed revenue.

 

[YorkerKing]

Shahnaz eyes improved show at Asian Games
He is head coach of Pakistan hockey team
By Syed Intikhab Ali August 24, 2023

Pakistan players celebrate after scoring a goal - AHF
KARACHI: Pakistan hockey team head coach Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh has said that weaknesses of senior hockey team players identified during the Asian Champions Trophy in India are being addressed in the training camp in Islamabad.

Talking to The News on Wednesday, the newly-appointed head coach said that the Asian Games 2023 in China next month is their prime focus because compared to the Olympic qualifying rounds in Lahore later this year, the Asian Games are an easy way.


"In the Olympics qualifying rounds in Lahore, some European teams will also participate. Thus, we are working hard keeping in mind to win the Asian Games in China, and I am confident that our boys have the skills. They are young and energetic. They need to work hard on their mistakes which they made," he said.

Pakistan hockey team’s training camp started in Islamabad two days ago where out of 36 boys 34 reported. Two players who did not join the training camp are stated to be injured.

"We have started working hard on the shortcomings identified during the Asian Champions Trophy, where Pakistan did not reach the victory stands," Shahnaz said.

Pakistan played six matches, won two, and ended 5th.

Shahnaz said that boys are getting training early in the morning where they attend two sessions, one for their physical training and the other for hockey training.

During the hockey training their ball handling is being improved, especially in the D area.

He further said that during the evening session different methods are applied to improve their overall performance.

Shahnaz said a group of five players of penalty corner drag flickers and a group of five goalkeepers have been established.

He said that Pakistan hockey team comprise young players.

"They are talented but lack international hockey experience due to which they committed mistakes," he said.

Shahnaz said after every two days players would do gymnasium exercises and swimming to maintain their fitness.

He further said addressing failure in goal scoring on PC is an important task.

"We cannot afford so many goal-less PCs in the Asian Games, and any other international hockey event. Thus, from throwing the ball on PC, taking the ball, stopping the ball and drag flicking the ball for scoring goals, all things are being practised in the training camp," he said.

He added that five different methods have been adopted for drag flicking the ball on PC.