LAHORE The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has allocated an annual sum of Rs10 million for awarding central contracts to its players.

Sources told Dawn that in the first phase the contract would be given till the World Cup which is being held in India in March next year.

A total of 25 players will benefit from the scheme. It is learnt that the players will be divided into four categories from 'A' to 'D'.

About seven senior players will be placed in 'A'. The remaining players of the Pakistan team will fall in the 'B' and 'C' categories. Around seven talented upcoming players will be selected in the 'D' category.

It has been proposed to give Rs50,000, 40,000 and 30,000 to the players, who will be placed in 'A' to 'C' categories. The remuneration for the upcoming players is yet to be decided.

However, the entire package will be approved by the Executive Board meeting of the PHF, which is to meet on Saturday.Sources further added that after watching the players' performances in the World Cup, the upgradation and relegation of the players will be made for the next term of the central contract.

The board will also discuss the performance of the national team in the World Cup qualifiers in which Pakistan emerged as the winner in France to reserve a place in the main round of the World Cup. The mode of PHF's next elections will also be finalised at the meeting to be presided over by PHF President Qasim Zia.

Meanwhile, the other 13 participants are Secretary Asif Bajwa, President Women's Wing Barrister Shahida Jamil, Vice President Saeed Khan, Treasurer Gulfraz Ahmad Khan, Secretary Punjab Hockey Association Rana Mujahid Ali, Secretary Sindh Hockey Association Rao Saleem, Secretary NWFP Hockey Association Syed Zahir Shah, Secretary Balochistan Hockey Association Qaiser Khan Loni, Olympians Akhtar Rasool Chaudhry, Shahbaz Ahmad Senior, Islahuddin Siddiqui, Rashid Butt (Railways) and Col Nadeem Bhatti (Army).