KARACHI: Within 48-hours, the members of the Asian Games-bound Pakistan hockey team was compelled to change their stance and demanded of the government to release funds to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for clearing their outstanding dues forthwith.

“We request the government to pay heed to our request and release the grant which has already been approved to the PHF for part disbursement to the players,” captain M. Rizwan Sr, flanked by other members of the team told reporters during a press conference at the Islahuddin-Dr M. A. Shah Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.

The disgruntled players threatened to boycott the quadrennial Asian Games if their dues are not cleared soon.

It is pertinent to mention that the players had agitated against the PHF after the trials the other day to clear their outstanding dues but took a U-turn by urging the government to immediately release funds.

According to them, the PHF owes each player approximately Rs0.8m including the daily allowance of the Champions Trophy camp that was established at Breda, Holland.

“We’ve informed the PHF and the team management about our demands and subsequently backing out of the Asiad if they are not met,” the captain said and added that they have to support their families.

Meanwhile, the PHF president retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar has assured the agitating players that he will clear the players dues from his own pocket before team’s departure to Jakarta if the PHF doesn’t receive funds from the government.

“I have asked the players to focus on their game in order to win Asian title and qualify for the 2020 Olympics,” he said in a video clip released to journalists,

Sources however alleged that the move which seems to be planted, will affect team’s chances of winning the gold and earning a direct ticket for Tokyo Olympics.

They said the clock has turned back as a group of players, led by incumbent PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed, set a bad precedent by leading a revolt against the then PHF on the eve of 1996 Atlanta Olympics at the Abdul Sattar Edhi Stadium.

The PHF has been targeting the Asian Games since long and the current scenario will have an adverse effect on the morale of players, they added.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2018