Empowered Committee recommends immediate elections of Pakistan Hockey Federation to streamline affairs
Islamabad: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is once again in the limelight as a four-member Committee, including former Olympians Akhtar Rasool, Shahnaz Sheikh, and Islahuddin Siddiqui, has recommended immediate elections to help streamline affairs ahead of the Asian Games, Olympic Qualifying round, and Junior Asia Cup.
The committee met under the Director General Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Shoaib Khoso to evaluate the performance of PHF and suggest a future course of action. After over two hours of discussion, the committee forwarded recommendations to the Patron in Chief, requesting the appointment of a care-taker committee to hold free and fair elections.
Despite sending queries to the PHF following the last meeting, the disaffiliated federation failed to respond. Consequently, the committee recommended a fresh beginning for Pakistan hockey, indicating the need for an ad-hoc or care-taker committee to hold free and fair federations elections, so that Pakistan hockey can be set on the right track.
Critical times for Pakistan hockey
The former Olympians, who form part of the committee, highlighted the critical situation that Pakistan hockey is currently facing. Not only are the Asian Games around the corner, but the qualification for the Olympic Games is also at stake. The committee concluded that free and fair elections under a neutral setup are the need of the hour, with the year 2023 being crucial for Pakistan hockey.
It is essential to mention here that the committee was formed under the direct orders of the Prime Minister, who is also the Patron in Chief. Therefore, the federation’s inability to cooperate with the committee is surprising and indicative of the severe issues within the organization.
Unsupporting behavior of PHF
The committee also decided to highlight the un-supporting behavior of the federation, which refused to respond to all queries sent to them. The committee has completed the task given by the Prime Minister, which was to evaluate Pakistan’s performance in international hockey over the last seven years and finalize a roadmap for the federation’s elections.
The committee’s recommendations will also be forwarded to the PM appointed high-profile committee that includes IPC Minister Ehsan Mazari, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, and Ayaz Sadiq. The committee believes that holding repeated meetings would be a waste of time, and it has finalized the recommendations, which are now being sent to the PM and the high-profile committee.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pakistan hockey is at a critical juncture, and immediate decisions are required to streamline affairs. The empowered committee has recommended holding free and fair elections under a neutral setup, which is the need of the hour. With the Asian Games, Olympic Qualifying round, and Junior Asia Cup on the horizon, it is essential to act fast to ensure that Pakistan hockey is set on the right track. The year 2023 is crucial for Pakistan hockey, and all stakeholders must work together to ensure that the federation’s affairs are streamlined.