ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: The cash-strapped Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) was given a big boost on Thursday after Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali directed the national carrier PIA to resume giving concessional tickets to teams going abroad.

The secretary of the PHF, Brig. Musaratullah Khan and the director general of the Pakistan Sports Board, Brig Arif Mahmood Siddiqui called on the prime minister on Thursday.

Jamali also directed Pakistan Railways to provide discounted tickets to the players in order to facilitate them.

The prime minister also gave the go-ahead to the PHF and the PSB for purchase of three artificial pitches for installation in Rawalpindi, Sargodha and Rawalakot.

A sum of Rs 62 million out of a total of Rs 160 million that had initially been sanctioned for laying of turfs in five other cities, is available with the PSB.