Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Mohsin Naqvi, has vowed continued assistance to Pakistan’s national men’s hockey team amid administrative instability within the country’s hockey structure. During a meeting in Lahore, Naqvi assured players of institutional backing, financial relief and logistical support until the prevailing turmoil in hockey affairs is resolved.
The development comes at a critical juncture for Pakistan hockey following the resignation of Tariq Bugti as president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation. Bugti formally stepped down and submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, intensifying uncertainty around the federation’s future leadership.
Financial assistance and logistical intervention ahead of World Cup Qualifier
At the meeting held in Lahore, members of the national hockey squad briefed Naqvi about alleged mistreatment and operational difficulties faced during the Pro Hockey League campaign. Expressing regret over the reported incidents, Naqvi emphasized that athletes representing Pakistan must not suffer due to administrative shortcomings.
He announced that the cricket board would extend full cooperation to streamline hockey affairs during the crisis period. Immediate directives were issued to arrange air tickets, playing kits and hotel accommodation for the team ahead of the upcoming World Cup Qualifier tournament in Egypt. Officials were instructed to ensure that all travel and preparation requirements were finalized without delay.
In addition to logistical support, Naqvi ordered the establishment of a training camp beginning Friday, with preparations to be completed by Thursday night. The move aims to ensure that players remain competition-ready despite off-field uncertainties.
Medical support was also prioritized. Naqvi directed that injured players receive immediate treatment under PCB supervision, reinforcing the message that performance and player welfare remain paramount. Addressing the squad, he urged them to concentrate solely on their game and uphold Pakistan’s honour on the international stage.
“You should focus only on the game. Pakistan’s honour comes first. We will not allow the country’s dignity to be compromised under any circumstances,” he told the players during the interaction.
As part of his earlier commitment, Naqvi distributed cheques worth Rs1 million each to players following their runner-up finish in a recent national hockey tournament. The financial gesture was welcomed by team members, who thanked him for stepping in during a challenging period.
Clarification on federation role amid leadership vacuum
Speculation had surfaced that Naqvi might assume a formal role within the hockey federation following Bugti’s resignation. However, he categorically clarified that he was not seeking to become president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation. In a public statement on X, he reiterated that his involvement was limited to supporting players until stability returns.
“I am not becoming Hockey Federation President, but we will assist players till this turmoil ends,” he stated, underscoring that the intervention is temporary and player-centric.
The episode highlights broader structural challenges facing Pakistan hockey, once a dominant force in global competitions but now grappling with administrative instability and resource constraints. While the Pakistan Cricket Board traditionally oversees cricket operations, Naqvi’s involvement reflects a cross-sport institutional effort to safeguard national representation during a crisis.
Observers note that sustained structural reform within the hockey federation will ultimately determine long-term stability. For now, the immediate focus remains on ensuring that players are equipped, funded and mentally prepared for the World Cup Qualifier in Egypt.
With preparations underway and interim support secured, the national squad aims to shift attention back to performance. The coming weeks will test both administrative resilience and on-field execution as Pakistan hockey seeks to navigate uncertainty while striving for competitive revival.
