PHF Claims Players Receiving Unpaid Dues

LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president, Tariq Bugti, stated on Monday that payments of outstanding dues to national players have commenced in stages.

During a media interaction, Bugti mentioned that the initial phase involves disbursing local daily allowances to the hockey players.

“Funds are being transferred to the players’ accounts. We are starting with local daily allowances,” Bugti commented.

“We communicated our limitations to the players, and they have understood the situation,” he added.

Notably, the Pakistan hockey team, which secured a silver medal at the Nations Hockey Cup held in Malaysia, has yet to be compensated for their daily allowances.

Sources indicate that each player is owed approximately PKR 500,000 in outstanding daily allowances.

Furthermore, it has been revealed that international daily allowances during the FIH Nations Cup were also unpaid, leading to rising discontent among the players. The federation’s ongoing silence has amplified their frustration.

Additionally, the players have not been compensated for allowances related to training camps conducted in Islamabad in two phases.

Sources have pointed out that players are entitled to PKR 30,000 daily for international assignments and PKR 3,000 daily for domestic activities.

The PHF’s failure to settle the outstanding amounts has caused unrest among the national players, with speculations of potential protest against the federation surfacing last month.

National team captain Ammad Butt, who has openly criticized the PHF on this matter, acknowledged hearing talk of a possible player revolt against the federation but stressed that decisions were still pending.

“There are talks circulating regarding a player protest, but nothing is set in stone. We will keep the media informed of any developments,” Butt stated.

The speculations began after a private conversation between national hockey players was leaked online, where they accused the PHF of dishonesty and deception, claiming that the federation has ceased addressing their concerns.

“The federation has consistently misled us and kept us uninformed. Now, they aren’t even responding, which is unacceptable,” the players stated.

“We need someone who at least acknowledges us and listens to our issues. We’ve repeatedly been assured about receiving our daily allowances, but those promises have not been honored,” the players added.