LAHORE The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has signed a sponsorship deal of Rs20 million with the National Bank of Pakistan.

Former Test cricketer, chief selector and head of the NBP sports department Iqbal Qasim and PHF President Qasim Zia signed the deed in a simple ceremony here on Saturday.

According to PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa, the federation would receive the payment in three instalments.

A cheque of Rs10 million was handed over during the ceremony. The remaining amount of Rs10 million will come in two equal instalments with six-month gaps.

Speaking at the ceremony, Iqbal Qasim said that the bank has come forward once again to sponsor the national sport of the country though after a long break. He hoped that the cooperation would increase with no interruption in the future.

Qasim Zia said that the Pakistan teams, too, would fulfil their side of the bargain by not disappointing the sponsor and putting on better performances.

He said that the sponsors would also get mileage with the national team coming back on the winning track.

Asked how much of PHF's financial burden would be shared with this sponsorship, the PHF president said that the total annual budget of the federation was estimated to be Rs350 million but more such sponsorships along with money from the Federal Government would help them meet their expenditures.