PSB President to Consult PM Shehbaz on National Hockey Team’s FIH Pro League Participation

KARACHI: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) stated on Wednesday that Rana Sanaullah Khan, the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination and president of the PSB, will make the ultimate decision regarding the national hockey team’s involvement in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Pro League.

Earlier today, the 34th board meeting of the PSB took place in Islamabad, focusing on crucial resolutions to boost transparency in sports administration and protect the interests of young athletes.

During the session, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF)’s operations underwent scrutiny, with the PSB voicing significant dissatisfaction over the federation’s failure to deliver financial records and specifics about funding.

The PSB released a statement saying, “Concerning the Pakistan Hockey Federation, the Board conveyed grave worries regarding the delay in submitting accounts and funding information. The Board expressed its disapproval of the federation’s performance.”

In addition, the FIH’s official invitation to Pakistan for participation in the Hockey Pro League was reviewed, and board members ’empowered’ the PSB President to render the conclusive verdict.

The board additionally resolved that the PSB President will forward a formal communication to Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, detailing the reasoning and goals behind the national team’s presence in the FIH Pro League.

PSB’s statement further noted, “Regarding the invitation to join the FIH Pro League, members have authorized PSB President Rana Sanaullah Khan to make the final determination.”

“It was decided that the PSB President would send a formal letter to the Prime Minister outlining the rationale and objectives for participating,” it was added.

For context, the FIH had previously extended an official invitation to the PHF to send its team to the Hockey Pro League, subsequent to Hockey New Zealand’s choice to opt out of the competition.

Importantly, the FIH has also specified an August 12 deadline for Pakistan to notify the primary federation regarding their acceptance or rejection of the invitation.