Islamabad:Pakistan men’s hockey team is facing fresh turmoil after senior players expressed strong displeasure over what they described as underpayment of daily allowances during the recent FIH Pro League leg in Argentina, raising the possibility of a boycott of upcoming matches.
According to a report by The Times of India, players were initially assured a daily allowance of PKR 30,000, but later received only PKR 11,000 per day, leading to widespread dissatisfaction within the squad. One senior player was quoted as saying that the promised amount turned out to be “a sham,” reflecting the frustration among team members.
The controversy has escalated to the point where players have reportedly informed the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) that they may refuse to travel for the second phase of the Pro League in Australia next February if the issue is not resolved.
As per The Times of India, the PHF has defended itself by stating that the tour was funded by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), which follows a policy of paying USD 40 per day for overseas tours. The federation claimed it had no authority to exceed the allowance approved by the PSB, despite its own higher internal policy.
This dispute once again highlights the financial instability and administrative challenges plaguing Pakistan hockey, a sport that has struggled for consistent support in recent years. With the Pro League commitment now hanging in the balance, the standoff threatens to further dent Pakistan’s international standing.
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