LAHORE: Pakistan Hockey Federation’s plan to hold the first-ever league in November this year may face problems, as a petition has been filed in the Islamabad High Court raising questions over the procurement process adopted by the federation for the said league.

According to sources, a private company in its petition has raised questions in the court over the process of procurement. It is believed that the PHF had already given understanding for awarding the league to a consortium led by a Lahore-based local investor who has remained involved in domestic T20 cricket tournaments.

The same investor, sources reveal, owns a team in PCB’s Pakistan Super League, adding the procurement process adopted for the hockey league was merely a window decoration meant to appease the masses.

Only one bid was received and since there was no substantial interest and owing to various other reasons the tendering process has been scrapped, sources claimed.

Meanwhile, when Dawn contacted, PHF president retired Brig Sajjad Khokhar vowed that the league would be held as per the schedule and that there was nothing serious in the petition filed in the IHC.

The PHF president further said that many elements might not be in favour of the league; therefore, they would try to create hurdles in the way. But he assured that the league would be held as scheduled.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2016