PCB set to fund Pakistan Hockey Team’s FIH Pro League campaign amid financial crunch
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) steps in to fund Pakistan hockey team's FIH Pro League campaign, taking over financial and administrative control amid PHF's funding crisis.
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In a dramatic turn for Pakistan’s national hockey team, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to step in and fund the country’s participation in the upcoming season of the FIH Pro League, according to a report by Telecom Asia. The move comes after New Zealand pulled out of the tournament, opening the door for Pakistan to re-enter the elite competition alongside India.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) was initially given until August 12 to confirm participation. However, following funding challenges, the PHF has secured an extension until August 20, while final decisions are pending government approval.
The financial demand is steep, approximately PKR 700 million (USD 2.5 million). With the PHF unable to raise the funds independently, the matter was escalated to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The breakthrough came when PCB reportedly agreed to shoulder all financial and administrative responsibilities, effectively taking control of Pakistan’s campaign.
“It’s confirmed. PCB will take care of all the financial and administrative aspects of it, with no interference from the PHF,” a source told Telecom Asia. “They will appoint their own personnel and possibly contract event organisers to execute the move.”
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Cricket Steps In: PCB’s Support Offers Lifeline to Pakistan Hockey
This funding is expected to come from government allocations designated for the PCB’s youth development programme, now redirected toward the national hockey team’s urgent needs. While PHF president Mir Tariq Hussain Bugti expressed hope in state support, he acknowledged the PCB’s involvement and confirmed ongoing talks with government officials. The development has also triggered internal rifts within the PHF, with a rival faction allegedly pushing to unseat the current leadership.
Pakistan finished as runners-up to New Zealand in the 2024 FIH Nations Cup, missing out on automatic qualification. But with New Zealand’s withdrawal, a rare second chance has emerged, one that Pakistan now appears ready to seize, with the backing of its powerful cricket board. If confirmed, this unprecedented cricket-hockey partnership could set a new precedent in Pakistan’s sports funding ecosystem.
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