KARACHI, Nov 29: Appalling state of sports affairs in the country, like other disciplines, has equally plagued the game of hockey as ten members of the current 18-man national squad have no permanent jobs.

With the exception of eight of the experienced, some of them over-the-hill veterans, remaining part of the squad, the future of Pakistan hockey, anxiously awaits to be absorbed by their respective departments.

The eight players having confirmed jobs are, Shahbaz Ahmad, Mohammad Usman, Atif Bashir, all from PIA, Mohammad Saqlain (ABL) Mohammad Sarwar (ABL), Dilawar Hussain (Pakistan Army), Mohammad Nadeem (NBP), Mohammad Shabbir (Wapda).

Among those who are yet to be regularised are, Mohammad Qasim (ABL), Salman Akbar (PTCL), Ali Raza (PIA), Tariq Imran (PTCL), Sohail Abbas (HBL), Waseem Ahmad (HBL), Imran Rasool (PTCL), Mudassir Ali (PTCL), Kashif Jawwad (HBL) and Naveed Iqbal (HBL).

The story does not end here. Few other precocious youths, some of them sidelined Olympians, are also among the lot having no permanent jobs with their departments.

Sameer Hussain, an axed prolific right-winger who represented Pakistan at Sydney Olympics last September, and discarded but talented international left-in Mohammad Khalid Jr, both have contract employments with HBL.

Despite having bulk of talent and Pakistan players among its ranks, HBL doesn’t have a single player on its permanent pay roll. Haider Hussain, Ejaz Khokhar, Ejaz Rasool, Asad Qureshi, Mubashir Mukhtar, all having contract jobs with HBL, are few examples.

Ironically, HBL are the major sponsors of the game, and have signed a fresh one-year contract with the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) after the Rs30million three-year deal expired earlier this year.

PTCL, though, had acquired Olympian full-back Tariq from HBL about an year ago, the defender is yet on contract with the state-owned company.

Pakistan coach Hanif Khan came out in full support of the players when asked to comment on the insecure future of the players.

“Since hockey is not a professional game, I would say the players must have regular jobs. If there is no job security, there will be no peace of mind for the players.

“The government should change its policy so our youngsters can devote their energy fully to the sport. This is the best way to get maximum output from the players,” Hanif, also a former Pakistan captain said.

Pakistan goalkeeper Qasim, seeking a permanent job with ABL for the last three years, said from Gojra: “I am on an annual contract in ABL and receiving a meagre sum of Rs5,000 per month for the last three years. But I have not been offered a regular job by the ABL despite being promised by my department.

“I had also requested Gen Pervez Musharraf to provide me a regular job when he came as a chief guest at the final of the Governor’s Gold Cup in October. He promised me but nothing has been done yet. The nation wants us to win the laurels. But how can we do that when the players have no secure future.”

Insecurity has forced Qasim to approach other departments for greener pastures and he may quit ABL soon.

Pakistan’s penalty corner exponent, Sohail was vocal on the issue and demanded a regular job for himself and his team-mates.

“Something ought to be done for us. It’s very important for us to have permanent jobs. How we are suppose to give our hundred percent while we feel insecure,” an apprehensive Sohail said.

Khalid, who had staged a comeback for the Azlan Shah Cup after 18 months but faced the chopping block for the Champions Trophy, also felt insecure about his future with the HBL.

“It is a serious issue for the players. The grave situation could be judged from the fact that all HBL players are on annual contracts,” Khalid, a graduate associated with HBL for the last six years said.

Spearhead Kashif, especially engaged by the bankers last year along with Sameer, joined his fellow players’ concerns, saying “there must be secure future for the whole team. Regular jobs are the only solution to the problem.”

Waseem, a Vehari-based Pakistan midfielder who plays for HBL, shared the views expressed by his compatriots, saying “me and the rest of the HBL players, all have contractual jobs which is not a satisfactory situation.”

Although PHF has recently vowed to make efforts for securing permanent jobs for the players, the promise proved nothing but mere lip service.

Given the fact that more than half of the national squad has no regular employment, will it be wise to expect wonders from the green-shirted boys who play for honour and glory?.