KARACHI: Pakistan hockey captain Mohammad Imran has slammed the government for not paying heed to the uplift of national game by injecting funds that can improve the financial status of the players’ cadre.

“I had to cut short professional league in Hong Kong on a call from the nation that cost me a loss of Rs1.5 to Rs2 million,” he told reporters at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium on Wednesday.

Imran, under whose captaincy Pakistan clinched a silver medal at the Incheon Asian Games, called upon the government to bail out the cash-strapped PHF for revival of game in the country and for securing better results in international events.

He said Pakistan hockey team is due to call on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad on the eve of their departure to South Korea on Nov 19.

He also advised the PHF to launch professional hockey league in the country on the pattern of India Hockey League.

To a question, he said the absence of three senior players — Haseem Khan, Farid Ahmed and Shakeel Abbasi — will be felt on the upcoming trips of South Korea and India.

The three are playing professional leagues in Holland and have taken leave from the PHF.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2014