ACCORDING to press reports the other day, the prime minister, on the request of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, has announced a special grant of Rs1.2 million for six former hockey players and their families who are going through a financial crisis. The players include Olymians Afzal Manna and Zakir Hussain and international players Muhammad Irshad, Mehmood Hussain, Noor Alam (late) and Mazhar.

As a matter of fact, it is something most commendable on the part of PHF President Qasim Zia for taking up a humanitarian cause when it was most needed. We have had several such examples in the past when a former sportsman or his family was in need of financial help but neither his parent department nor did the then government of Pakistan come up for any financial assistance to the sportsman at that point of time.

But, this time round it is a good example set by the PHF of looking after former Pakistani players who were once a symbol and part of national sports of Pakistan but are now finding it difficult to make both ends meet.

However, it is equally important that the PHF chief ensures that the grant approved is released to the former players and their families. Likewise, there must be many other former players belonging to other sports like cricket and wrestling who represented Pakistan at international level and they are now in need of financial help but they remain unattended and neglected by their respective governing bodies of sports.

One hopes that while following the example of the PHF, other organisations would also do their utmost in lending due support to the former sportsmen of Pakistan.

RAFAT MAHMOOD ANSARI
Islamabad