KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is facing a huge financial crisis as they await funds for the national team’s tour to Europe as well as for participation in the upcoming Asian Games.

This was stated on Friday by PHF secretary Rana Mujahid. “The PHF badly needs funds to prepare the national senior and junior teams for foreign assignments as well as for domestic circuit,” said Rana. “The PHF wants the national team to undertake a short tour to Europe in the build-up for the upcoming Incheon Asian Games but we are facing extreme paucity of funds for that and other important assignments ahead.”

Rana said a request for a grant of Rs500 million was submitted to The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and other sports authorities for the release of funds sometime back but so far no response has come from there.

“We urgently need funding for the senior team because their European tour and Asian Games are just weeks away now,” he said. “Our international participation will be in jeopardy if the funds are not provided urgently.”

He said Pakistan hockey team is in dire need of international exposure in order to develop a strong combination for the Asian Games which is PHF’s prime target at the moment.

Rana added that besides the senior team’s tour to Europe tour and for the Asian Games, Pakistan will also have to also feature in the Champions Trophy in India while the junior team have to take part in the Sultan Johar Cup in Malaysia later this year.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2014