The clubs emphasized that this move directly contradicts the government’s declared commitment—especially by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Minister Sanaullah, and Secretary Mohyuddin Wani—to promote and revive hockey at the grassroots level
By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD, JUN 17 /DNA/ – The government’s ongoing efforts to revive Pakistan’s national sport, hockey, have taken a major hit as the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has sharply increased usage charges for the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium—shifting focus from athlete development to revenue generation.
According to details, the PSB has raised the daily usage fee for the stadium in Islamabad from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 5,700—a staggering hike of nearly 300%—affecting registered hockey clubs in the federal capital.
In response, affiliated clubs under the Islamabad Hockey Association (IHA) have written to the Advisor to Prime Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Rana Sanaullah and IPC Secretary Mohyuddin Wani, urging them to intervene and reverse the increase. They warned that the steep fees pose a serious financial burden on young players and grassroots training programs.
The clubs emphasized that this move directly contradicts the government’s declared commitment—especially by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Minister Sanaullah, and Secretary Mohyuddin Wani—to promote and revive hockey at the grassroots level.
The Rising Stars Hockey Club along with other clubs, have been actively promoting hockey by offering free training sessions for schools and colleges boys and girls over the past several years. The club stressed that such initiatives are crucial for youth development and for rebuilding Pakistan’s legacy in international hockey.
“The youth are the future of Pakistan,” the letter stated, “and engaging them in structured, healthy activities like hockey is essential—not just for personal growth but also for restoring the sport’s national pride.”
The letter concluded with a plea for immediate action, stressing that easing the financial burden on local clubs is key to sustaining the momentum for a national hockey revival.
“The facility should ideally be free or heavily subsidized,” said a former international player. “The government should invest in the sport instead of commercializing it to the point of extinction.”
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is also being urged to take up the matter with PSB officials, advocating on behalf of players who rely on regular training sessions to maintain form and fitness.=DNA
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