LAHORE, Nov 9: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has surprisingly increased the budget for the senior team despite national team’s disgraceful performances and less activity next year as compared to this year’s hectic season.

PHF has set Rs13.86million for the year 2003 for the senior team whereas it had spent Rs8.51million on it this year.

Pakistan senior team participated in the four major tournaments this year including World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Champions Trophy in Cologne and the Asian Games in Busan.

Apart from the major events, the seniors also went to Europe twice, the first time from Jan 13 to 30 and then from July 12 to 20.

The senior team will take part in only three events which are not as important as were the four tournaments this year.

According to the schedule, senior side play Azlan Shah Cup in Kuala Lumpur from March 18 to 28, to be followed by a proposed tour to Europe from May 10 to 18 and the Champions Trophy in Amstelveen, the Netherlands from Aug 16 to 24.

The exchange rate of the US dollar before the Sept 11 terror attacks in New York and Washington was around Rs67 to 68, while now the open market rate is Rs58.  

The estimated total income of the PHF is Rs32.92million against expenditures of Rs42.62 million for the year 2003. That means PHF faces a shortfall of Rs9.70million during next year.

PHF has included into its income an expected grant of Rs10million from the 9th SAF Games secretariat and the same amount from sponsors.

However, the shortfall could increase if the SAF Games are postponed. The Games, which are now scheduled to be

organized from March 29, 2003, were twice postponed earlier due to security reasons in the prevailing conditions in the region.

In case of another postponement, the SAF Games secretariat would not offer the amount to the PHF.

Keeping in view the current performance of Pakistan team the it will be an uphill task to attract the sponsors for Rs one million. The sponsorship worth Rs six million, however, is confirmed for next year.

PHF has estimated an income of Rs4.5million from the rent of the National Hockey Stadium shops. Pakistan Sports Board gives an annual and special Rs one million grant to PHF, whereas the federation will earn profit of Rs1.3million on its investment.

PHF will earns Rs120million from the affiliated departments affiliated with it.

As for the expenditure of the national junior team Rs8.20 million have been earmarked and for the national women’s team Rs4.5million have been allocated.

PHF will pay Rs2.9million as salaries to its staff working at Lahore and Karachi offices, while it will pay Rs0.4million to remain affiliation with the FIH, AHF and POA.