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Pakistan hockey team’s participation in the upcoming season of the FIH Pro League could be made possible with the help of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), a media report has claimed. The Pakistan hockey team has been invited by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to take part in the next edition of the FIH Pro League alongside India after New Zealand pulled out last month.
Initially, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) was given time till 12 August to confirm its participation, but a report in the Dawn on Tuesday stated that the hockey association has managed to secure an extension till 20 August as they are currently involved in negotiations with the national government.
Pakistan hockey team will reportedly need 700 million Pakistani Rupees (approximately $2.5 million) to compete in the FIH Pro League, and have been forced to approach the Pakistan Sports Board due to a lack of funds. The matter has now reached the doors of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as we reported earlier .
PCB to sponsor Pakistan hockey team
However, a latest report in Telecom Asia on Monday has claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board has agreed to fund the Pakistan hockey team.
The Telecom Asia report further added that PCB’s help will come at a significant cost as the cricket board has decided to “handle all financial and administrative responsibilities” of the Pakistan hockey team, effectively taking over their entire campaign.
“It’s confirmed. PCB will take care of all the financial and administrative aspects of it, with no interference from the PHF. PCB will appoint its own personnel and possibly contract event organisers to execute the planned move,” the source told Telecom Asia.
“If the PCB funds the Pro League, PHF will have no control over financial transactions.”
As per sources, PHF wants to maintain its control over the matter, but doesn’t have many options. Also, the PCB’s proposed funding will reportedly come from government funds earmarked for youth development, now repurposed to support hockey’s pressing requirements.
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