Unable to secure funding of $2.5 million, Pakan PM Shehbaz Sharif likely to take call on hockey team’s Pro League participation | Hockey News

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Wednesday invited Pakan to join the top-tier Pro League after New Zealand, who had originally qualified, chose not to field a team. However, the invite has triggered a series of crises in Pakan hockey with calls now for the country’s Prime Miner Shehbaz Sharif to intervene.
Pakan finished second in the FIH Nations Cup, a second-tier tournament whose winner gets promoted to the Pro League. The Green Shirts lost in the final to New Zealand, who informed the FIH that they wouldn’t be sending their team. Consequently, the world body formally invited Pakan and gave them time until August 12 to confirm participation. The Pro League involves a series of matches between the top-ranked teams of the world over two legs.
A cash-strapped Pakan Hockey Federation estimated that it would cost them 700 million Pakani Rupees, approximately $2.5 million, for the entire campaign. They then put forth a request to the Pakan Sports Board to release the funds, which would help the hockey team to confirm its spot.
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However, the state-run board has informed the PHF that it doesn’t have the funds to ensure Pakan’s participation in the Pro League. Further, the PSB has also directed the country’s hockey federation to submit detailed accounts of the funds allocated to them since last year.
In a press release after a meeting on Thursday, the PSB said according to Dawn: “Concerning the invitation to participate in the FIH Pro League, [the] members authorised the PSB president Rana Sanaullah to take the final decision. It was agreed that a formal letter, outlining the rationale and objectives of participation, would be sent the PSB President to the Prime Miner.”
Pakan has already missed a chance to play in the Pro League due to a lack of funds in the past. In 2019, they were set to compete in the inaugural Pro League. However, after sending their entry, the PHF declined to participate due to a financial crunch. As a result, the FIH imposed a fine of 170,000 euros on the PHF.Unable to secure funding of $2.5 million, Pakan PM Shebaz Sherif likely to take call on hockey team’s Pro League participation
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