LAHORE, Feb 18: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has requested the federal and provincial governments for immediate financial help otherwise senior and junior hockey team activities could be suspended.

Speaking to the media on Monday, PHF secretary Asif Bajwa said that Punjab chief minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif had assured the release of Rs20 million grant, out of the total Rs50 million which had been previously announced.

“A similar request has been sent to the federal government through Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and once we receive the financial support, the activities of senior and junior teams would resume,” he said.

The Punjab chief minister had earlier announced a grant of Rs50 million for the PHF, besides Rs0.5 million for the national team on winning bronze at the Champions Trophy.

Although cheques of Rs20 million for the PHF and Rs0.5 million for the national team were released, both the cheques bounced due to an objection raised by the bank about the signatures. The PHF returned the cheques back to the provincial government but the new ones haven’t been received.

The PHF largely depends on the grants of federal government to run its affairs as it has no private sponsorship.

On the recent absence of Rashid Mahmood and Rizwan Senior from the national team camp for the Azlan Shah Cup, Bajwa said: “They are playing in Europe and as we had given them permission last year we cannot take any action against them.“However, both players had been advised to bring the matter into the knowledge of head coach Akhtar Rasool.”

The PHF secretary added that they are also looking to induct fresh blood into the team.