LAHORE: Expressing grave concern over the alarming decline in Pakistan hockey, newly-appointed Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordi­nation (IPC) Fawad Hasan Fawad on Tuesday said reviving the national game by implementing a proper plan would be his priority.

“We were the world champions in hockey [with four titles]. [Whereas] where we stand today is pathetic and every Pakistani is concerned about the current situation of hockey in the country,” Fawad told Dawn on Tuesday.

Earlier on Tuesday, Fawad was given the portfolio of the IPC Ministry which other than health, education and a few other sectors also includes sports. Previously, the IPC Ministry functioned under caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.

Responding to a question as to which steps he would take to put Pakistan hockey back on track, Fawad said time was short noting his job was limited to the general elections due on Feb 8, 2024.

“I have just joined the [IPC] ministry and after taking a detailed briefing from the quarters concerned I will be in a position to devise a plan to revive hockey in the country.

He continued, “In fact, bringing improvement in hockey will be my priority as this game to return to the right track needs complete attention,” Fawad emphasised.

It may be mentioned here that the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) had disaffiliated the Pakistan Hockey Feder­ation for not following its instructions in removing incumbent PHF president retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar to bring its like-minded people at the helm.

To a question, Fawad said he knew that the International Olympic Commi­ttee as well as international sports federations do not like government interference in the affairs of national sports federations affiliated with them.

However, when reminded that the National Sports Policy — in place since 2005 — which was now reviewed again had several clauses, allowing the PSB to intervene in the affairs of sports federations, Fawad said that he at the moment was not in the position to comment on it.

Fawad was also not ready to reply to any question regarding the prime minister’s meeting with PCB Interim Manag­ement Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf held in Islamabad on Monday.

“It is not appropriate for me to give an answer about any of the prime minister’s meeting [held] with anyone,” Fawad said, while adding “yes, I too attended that meeting”.

However, it is learnt that the prime minister, who is also the patron-in-chief of the PCB, instructed Zaka to work according to his mandate.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2023