KARACHI: Speakers at a function demanded of the government to release sufficient funds for the national game in order to revive the glorious past.

“It is time that the prime minister should approve the summary prepared by the Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC) following thorough scrutiny to set the ball rolling,” they said while speaking at a dinner-reception held to fete Pakistan hockey team for winning silver at the Incheon Asian Games.

Secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Rana Mujahid also presented cheques of Rs200,000 each to 16 members and six officials courtesy Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif amidst applause.

Reception held for Asiad silver medallists

He thanked the chief minister who had come to the rescue of the PHF a year back after its funds have dried. “The situation is again appalling now,” he remarked.

Despite meagre resources, the PHF had announced cash incentive of Rs30,000 for players and Rs50,000 for officials after green-shirts won silver in South Korea.

He was optimistic that prime minister is likely to approve a summary of Rs500 million for sports and the PHF will get its due share when the national hockey team call on him in Islamabad on Nov 19.

Raising morale of the players he said the PHF has categorised the list and players are on top of it followed by team management, selection committee and the PHF.

Rana Mujahid sounded confident that prime minister is likely to issue necessary instructions for reviving sports in financial institutions and departments that ceased to exists since long.

Praising the team he said: “You played up to our expectations and the Asian Games silver medal is first step in right direction.”

The secretary briefly touched the chaos that prevailed when the incumbent PHF headed by Akhtar Rasool took over the reign and effectively solved it by inducting Islahuddin as chief selector and Shahnaz as manager-cum-chief coach.

Speaking on the occasion, chief coach recalled how he re-built the team in a short span of 110 days after taking charge on May 5. Before he took over, the team had a barren run for 11 months, he said.

Shahnaz added he infused a new spirit among players and hoped the success will continue.

“Hat’s off to you,” he told players while acknowledging their performance.

Chief selector Islahuddin Siddiqui, former Olympian Hasan Sardar and team captain Mohammad Imran also spoke on the occasion.

The ceremony hosted by National Bank of Pakistan was attended by former Olympians, internationals, officials and media people.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2014