LAHORE The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Monday not only decided to continue the central contracts scheme for its national players, it also included all the senior players in the list who were not selected for the Azlan Shah Cup being held in Ipoh, Malaysia from May 6.
In all, 25 players have been offered the central contracts with all senior players including former captain Zeeshan Ashraf, Rehan Butt, Sohail Abbas, Shakeel Abbasi and Waseem Ahmad, who are not part of the Malaysia-bound squad, in the 'A' category. Mohammad Imran and Waqas Sharif are also included in the same category. Mohammad Irfan, Fareed Ahmed, Mohammad Zubair, Abdul Haseem Khan, Mohammad Rashid, Mohammad Rizwan and Shafqat Rasool are placed in 'B' category. Whereas Nasir Ahmad, Akhtar Ali, Kashif Ali, Imran Shah, Imran Butt, Amir Shahzad, Zeeshan Ali, Mohammad Umar Bhutta, Abdul Qayyum Dogar, Kashif Ali (Army) and Mohammad Tauseeq have been bracketed in category 'C'.
The 'A' category players will receive Rs50,000 each, while players of category 'B' and 'C' will get Rs40,000 and Rs30,000 per month, respectively.
Goalkeeper Salman Akbar, who has already left for Europe to play league hockey there,was not included in any category.
The PHF had introduced the central contract scheme some three months ago to attract the players preparing for the World Cup held in India earlier this year. However, after the national team's dismal performance in the mega event where they hit rock-bottom, there were rumours the PHF would close the scheme.
But Asif Bajwa, the PHF secretary, announced here on Monday that the federation would continue to provide maximum facilities to the players and thus decided to continue the scheme.
Selectors chose a young team for the upcoming Azlan Shah Cup as they have decided not to rely on the strength of the seniors, who disappointed the nation in the World Cup.
“We have offered performance-based contracts to the players for a period of three months and it will be revised based on the players' performances. We have also included senior players in the contractual players list and dispelled the impression that the PHF has discarded them for ever,” Bajwa added.
Centrally-contracted players
Category 'A' Zeeshan Ashraf, Rehan Butt, Sohail Abbas, Shakeel Abbasi, Waseem Ahmad, Mohammad Imran, Waqas Sharif.
Category 'B' Mohammad Irfan, Fareed Ahmad, Mohammad Zubair, Abdul Haseem Khan, Mohammad Rashid, Mohammad Rizwan, Shafqat Rasool.
Category 'C' Nasir Ahmad, Akhtar Ali, Kashif Ali, Imran Shah, Imran Butt, Amir Shahzad, Zeeshan Ali, Mohammad Umar Bhutta, Abdul Qayyum Dogar, Kashif Ali (Army), Mohammad Tauseeq.
