Shahbaz Sr quits PHF citing govt's apathy towards hockey
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Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Senior, on Saturday resigned from his position citing the government's alleged apathy towards the national sport.
Shahbaz, in his resignation, mentioned that since the government and the inter-provincial coordination ministry have no time for hockey than he too can't spare any.
"India's annual budget for hockey is more than Rs1 billion, whereas the annual grant for hockey in Pakistan is only Rs3.5 million." the legendary former hockey player pointed out.
Shahbaz said there was no infrastructure for hockey in the country, and that the PHF has no asset or a system in place for the generation of funds. He said that the government had been informed several times but to no avail.
"The ministry of inter provincial coordination didn't cooperate even one per cent," he regretted.
The PHF secretary complained that an uncertainty always prevails in the PHF because of a lack of funds. "Since the day I joined the federation, I have been saying that hockey could not be run with the prevailing system," he said.
"Funds are not provided but results are inquired about," he said, adding that he has been trying his best to bring some improvement despite the gloomy situation.
"The prevailing situation of the game is not acceptable," he said. The game could not be put on the right path without the help of revolutionary measures by the government."
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Comments (29) Closed
Dec 29, 2018 05:28pm
Excellent, outstanding, daring and sensible decision by the former field hockey great and greenshirts skipper, to call it a quits to his present influential job of Secretary, Pakistan Hockey Federation or PHF as commonly known, due to lack of funds, support, encouragement and backing from the new P.T.I. government in Islamabad, headed by a great sportsman, cricketer. and ex dynamic 1992 Cricket World Cup winning greenshirts Captain of yesteryears.
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Dec 29, 2018 05:37pm
I guess It's the right decision - jump off the sinking ship before it's too late.
It's time to have someone else have a go.
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Dec 29, 2018 05:51pm
I grew up admiring Pakistani hockey greats; treat Pakistani hockey the same way Pakistani cricket is treated- with respect, dignity and funds, and see Pakistani hockey conquering world titles again. I still watch clips of past games by - Shabaz Sr, Hasan Sardar, Shanaz, Thanvir Ali Dhar, Abdul Rashid, - With love and respect From an Indian hockey lover: Pakistan Zindabad and Pakistani hockey Zindabad
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Dec 29, 2018 05:58pm
Good decision leaving the post. You were legend in Pakistan hockey in your time. Gov. Is interested in promoting sports mo vision and no understanding how sports is important for youth and can generate foreign exchange if international tournaments play in Pakistan.
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Dec 29, 2018 06:14pm
Stop comparing with india. The difference is huge.
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Dec 29, 2018 06:26pm
@Ragu, who?
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Dec 29, 2018 06:47pm
It is happening when our PM is himself a sportsman. What a shame... either change our national game or give some proper attention to hockey IMRAN KHAN sahib.
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Dec 29, 2018 07:16pm
@Ragu, Now IK is in power, sports will revolutionise but in a few years once funds are available and earmarked . Now there is no corruption, so things will better.
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Dec 29, 2018 07:25pm
Right decision by Shahbaz. Government should do something extraordinary to save our Hockey. We still have the world record of most successful hockey team in history of the game i.e. 4 World Cup.
Its a fact without funding no game can prosper and give desired results.
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Dec 29, 2018 07:31pm
Time all resigned and cleared out.
Bring in professional coaches and give grass roots players a chance. They'll at least make us proud.
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Dec 29, 2018 07:34pm
The government doesn't spend a single penny on Pakistan hockey.
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Dec 29, 2018 07:43pm
Pride of Pakistan makes another respectful decision. Does others have the courage!
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Dec 29, 2018 07:45pm
That is the way to go brave decision, unfortunate but this is the way things are in our country squash and likewise many other sports are not just in focus anymore
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Dec 29, 2018 08:05pm
Politics is more important for PTI than the state of any sports ...
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Dec 29, 2018 08:23pm
It is tragic that all successive governments have ignored hockey . It is a shame that Imran Khan Government is also ignoring hockey . Being a sportsman Imran should be more sensitive towards the sport .
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Dec 29, 2018 08:33pm
Availability of funds & resources with PFH is definitely an issue but not the only excuse for poor performance of our hockey team ! The coach & the management failed to motivate the players and deliver the expections. Sports Ministry to look into the matter to bring back the lost glory of Hockey .
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Dec 29, 2018 09:25pm
I will request Mr Shahbaz to revert his decision,legend players can only save the sinking ship, at present PM Imran Khan and his team is committed to take out the collapsed economy of the country, let us hope for the best, PM Imran Khan will definitely be thinking about sports, I will advise PHF to find out some sponsors to help our National sports hockey
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Dec 29, 2018 09:32pm
What a legend Shahbaz Sr is. We respect your decision and the govt should open up their doors for this game and also bring Shahbaz SB with dignity which he deserves. I am sure if provided the requirements he has asked for with time we would bring the glory back to Pakistan. Hats off to your courage sir
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Dec 29, 2018 09:39pm
If course fixing hockey is more important than fixing plundered economy of Pakistan. Having skills in hockey does not mean having skills or brains to run PHF with some exceptions. They can be best coach or selector but not management for sure!
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Dec 29, 2018 11:08pm
Why does the government have to support any type of sports. Why can’t they get grants or investors or something?
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Dec 30, 2018 12:13am
May be this decision will prove good for Pakistsn hockey. Ex players can work as coaches etc and that too with proper professional coaching courses. Management should always be done by professional managers.
Secondly, if managed properly, I think hockey can generate enough funds at its own. Why are we always looking up for govt supports.
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Dec 30, 2018 04:20am
Shahbaz Senior is a great asset to Pakistan and his contributions in the field are no doubt above all the positions that are offered to him. It is a big mistake of not considering his apprehensions that are loud and clear to PM of Pakistan. His resignation is showing his frustration due to lack of resources and financial budget that is the requirement for holding the hockey in the right direction.
He must be convinced with the serious action of Govt. Pakistan to the hockey infrastructure.
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Dec 30, 2018 07:20am
Quitters never win and winners never quit. He should have secured private funding.
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Dec 30, 2018 08:07am
Coaching, management is a musical chair. So many Ex Olympians have been tried, same results. Right now the team is 12th in the pecking order. To bring it to par against top 4 teams, we better come up with better grooming of the team, maybe training at the high school level.
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Dec 30, 2018 10:04am
Right decision, he tried to communicated with govt. official since months, with no response.
If govt. is not interested in hockey, then why should he waist his time.
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Dec 30, 2018 12:33pm
Shahbaz took right timely decision. Shame on government for showing lethargic attitude towards hockey. PHF needs to find ways to make itself financially stronger than always being dependent upon government for funding. Our hockey will never progress until its professionally runned on modern lines and techniques.
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Dec 30, 2018 01:40pm
Without Government focus & support, no one can do anything. Would love to know what Minister of Sports has done in the first 100 days.
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Dec 30, 2018 10:14pm
While I agree with Shahbaz Sahib (who has been a friend since both of us were posted in Saudi), he knows and I know that I made my best efforts to get him an extra 200 million rupees from the PM early this year (when I served as the Fed. Secretary IPC/ Vice President Pakistan Sports Board. After approval I visited the Secretary Finance (who is my civil service batchmate) many times for the release (even when I had left the IPC). In the end the government did not even have the money to pay 2 months salaries and retirement benefits) to the PSB staff (which were paid in this financial year). There is also a lot of internal politics against the PHF as many of its constituent chapters and influential players of the past have hit out against the management. However, the total lack of support is quite true: the team participated in the World Cup only becaue the Sindh Government financed the visit. The turf in Islamabad (at the Naseer Bunda stadium) is 40 years old - and dangerous.
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Dec 31, 2018 09:41am
Can’t blame Shahbaz
Rs 35 lacs is a pittance in today’s age
Right now PTI government’s hands are tied due to the dire economic situation of the country
Hope once the economy takes a turn for the better, more funds will be given to PHF
Lack of funding is an important but not the only issue. Players do need to work on their skills and esp. on their stamina and motivation which is probably lacking at present .
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