ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Hockey Federation President Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar Tuesday said the federation has cleared all the dues of the players and team management. Khokhar revealed that he has arranged the funds through his own resources to fulfill his commitment as he had promised the players and management to clear their dues before the departure of the team to Jakarta, Indonesia for Asian Games.
“I had managed to arrange the funds through my own resources as I am a man of commitment and Allah has given me the strength to keep on my promises and words. The players will get each and every penny owe by the federation by Thursday morning a day earlier then departure.”
He said Pakistan hockey team will depart in the wee hours of 11th morning from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. However, the PHF president was not impressed by the players’ behaviour.
“Let me made one thing very clear that by staging protest they had not sent a good message about the image of the country. In past too, I always managed to address their concerns. They should have registered their grievances with me. If I fail to address those grievances then they could have made statements anywhere they like to. To me, country comes first and I will never ever even think about inflicting damages to my beloved country.”
Brih 9retd) Khokhar also revealed that Chinese Hockey Association had accepted his proposal of playing a series with Pakistan prior to green shirts departure to Jakarta, Indonesia for Asian Games.
“We are highly grateful to China Hockey Association for being so kind and accepting our request. But now time is very short and this series could not be materialised.” The PHF said he held a highly wonderful and fruitful meeting with Chinese Hockey Association in Beijing and Chinese expressed their willingness to cooperate and further extend hockey relations between the two countries.
“They not only agree to my proposal but also sent a letter in which they agreed to play warm-up match in China before the start of 2018 Asian Game in Jakarta. However, due to short time and budgetary issues, as the expenses of transportation and accommodation has to be be paid by Pakistan hockey team itself, we have to decline this offer.”
He said 25-member strong Pakistan delegation including players and officials will depart to Jakarta and the federation was highly optimistic about the favourable results. “We have given every possible help, facility and conducted long-term training camp in Karachi. Despite the fact, the federation is financially in dire straits even then for me Pakistan comes first. I once again want to make it very clear to my players that never ever for a moment even think about damaging country’s image and just concentrate on playing and winning for Pakistan. Until and unless I am here, they would never ever face any financial issues and I will utilise all my abilities to ensure green shirts achieve all the past glory days heights,” Khokhar concluded.
