LAHORE: Pakistan’s national hockey players have voiced strong resentment over the proposal of a Rs400 daily allowance, calling it nothing short of an insult to their dedication and sacrifices for the sport.
The players argued that the amount is less than a laborer’s daily wage, describing it as “salt on wounds” amid an already bleak financial situation. “We don’t even have regular jobs, daily allowance payments are often delayed, and now we are being told about Rs400. This is humiliating. How can you expect us to survive or stay motivated?” said a senior team member.
Frustrated athletes warned that if such treatment continued, they might be forced to quit hockey altogether. “The country has given us everything, we play for national pride, but hearing about Rs400 is deeply disappointing. Our families are struggling to keep their kitchens running,” another player added.
Responding to the criticism, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Rana Mujahid clarified that the Rs400 allowance was suggested by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), not the federation. “PHF provides players $100 as daily allowance. If the players are not satisfied with $100, how can they possibly play on Rs400?” he remarked.
The controversy underscores the ongoing financial crisis in Pakistan’s national sport, which once dominated the global hockey stage but now battles funding shortages, mismanagement, and declining player morale.
