0
LAHORE: The Congress of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Friday reaffirmed the body’s autonomous status but agreed to consult the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) over the names of a two-member election commission before finalising them for the upcoming federation elections.
The PHF plans to conduct scrutiny of clubs nationwide before holding elections from the district to the national level, beginning Dec 15 and concluding by Feb 15, 2026. The elected body will serve a four-year term (2026-30).
Addressing a press conference alongside PHF president Tariq Hussain Bugti after meetings of the Executive Committee and Congress at a local hotel, PHF secretary Rana Mujahid said the federation would adhere strictly to its constitution.
“The first stance of the Congress and the PHF president was that we will not bypass our own constitution,” Mujahid said. “Neither will we act outside it, nor allow anyone else to do so.”
He added that while the PHF had accepted the stance of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, the Senate Sub-Committee, and the PSB regarding holding elections, doing so was “not binding” on the federation.
“We accepted their suggestions in the spirit of cooperation and to create a better environment for the promotion of hockey,” he said.
Mujahid said the Congress had already nominated members for the two-person election commission and that PHF president Bugti would share the names with the PSB for consultation.
“If the PSB accepts our election commission, that will be good,” he said. “Otherwise, we will proceed with our own election commission. We have also invited representatives of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Asia and the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) to act as observers during the elections.”
When asked whether consulting the PSB over the election commission would violate the Lausanne Agreement — signed between the Pakistan government and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ensure non-interference in the affairs of the POA and its affiliated bodies — Mujahid clarified:
“Perhaps my words have caused confusion. We will only consult the PSB; the election commission has been formed by us. The PHF fully respects the Lausanne Agreement and will not compromise on its autonomy.”
PHF president Bugti echoed the stance, stressing that the federation remained an independent body.
“We are following the same process under which the last PHF elections were held,” Bugti said. “Yes, as observers we have invited representatives of the PSB — as is the norm — to ensure transparency.”
Responding to a question about his own election, Bugti said he was first appointed on an ad hoc basis before securing a vote of confidence from the Congress.
“Our current term ends in 2026, and we are now preparing for fresh elections for the next four-year term,” he added.
Bugti drew a distinction between the PHF and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), saying the hockey federation lacks basic infrastructure under its control.
“We do not have a single hockey ground under PHF management,” he said. “Whenever the national team travels abroad, we have to seek funds from the prime minister or provincial governments. This is not sustainable.”
He suggested the establishment of a “Pakistan Hockey Board” to manage all hockey grounds in the country and generate revenue for the sport.
Mujahid, supporting the idea, said the PHF lacks permanent financial resources.
“We recently secured sponsorship from PTCL worth Rs110 million a year, but that is insufficient,” he said. “If the PCB did not receive funds through the ICC or media rights, it too would struggle.”
He noted that most hockey stadiums are controlled by the PSB or provincial sports boards. “These facilities were built for hockey, but their revenues go to the boards while the PHF bears the responsibility of running the sport,” he remarked.
Mujahid reaffirmed that maintaining the PHF’s autonomy is in line with the IOC Charter. “Our PSB colleagues are respected, but only the PHF is recognised internationally as the body authorised to send Pakistan’s teams abroad,” he said. “We do not want conflict — we only want facilitation and adherence to international norms.”
Meanwhile, the Congress decided to pardon members of dissident PHF groups who have sought reconciliation. “Six to seven members contacted us and expressed regret for their past actions. The Congress agreed to reinstate them after following due process,” Mujahid said.
He added that 67 of the Congress’s 107 members attended Friday’s meeting. “Some were abroad, while others were unable to travel to Lahore,” he said.
According to the schedule approved by the Congress, club registration on the PHF’s online portal will take place between Dec 15 and 30. Scrutiny and district-level elections will be held from Jan 5 to 30, 2026, followed by provincial elections from Feb 2 to 10 and the PHF elections from Feb 11 to 15.
Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2025
