PSB-PHF rift deepens as written demarche sent to hockey federation chief

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has sent a formal written demarche to Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Tariq Hussain Bugti, demanding an explanation of his position and detailed answers to a set of queries regarding the utilisation of funds allocated to the national sport. According to sources, the communication — viewed as unusually stern — warns that failure to respond may lead the PSB to escalate the matter to the Prime Minister, who serves as the Patron-in-Chief of the PHF.

The development marks the latest flashpoint in an ongoing tussle between two of the country’s top sports bodies. While official letters and bureaucratic language dominate the current exchange, insiders admit the dispute is less about protecting Pakistan’s national game and more about power, control, and access to resources.

In its latest letter, the PSB has asked Bugti to provide a detailed account of funds received and their utilisation over recent years. This includes government grants, sponsorship amounts, and any other revenue streams available to the PHF. The Board’s queries reportedly cover specific tournaments, training camps, and overseas tours, seeking clarity on expenditure and outcomes.

However, despite earlier reminders, Tariq Bugti has yet to respond to these questions in writing. This silence has only deepened mistrust between the two organisations. A PSB official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said:

“We have a duty to ensure public funds are spent properly. The PHF has to answer for how they are using the money. If there is nothing to hide, then they should simply furnish the accounts.”

On the other hand, PHF insiders suggest that the federation views the PSB’s letters as politically motivated pressure rather than a genuine effort to promote hockey.

While the PHF is now in the spotlight for alleged non-responsiveness, critics point out that the PSB’s own record on transparency is far from perfect. For years, questions have been raised about how the Board allocates funds to different sports, the criteria for selecting athletes for training schemes, and the management of its own facilities.

The state of affairs, observers argue, reflects a systemic problem: neither the PSB nor the PHF has consistently demonstrated openness in financial matters or long-term strategic vision for hockey. Instead, both bodies often find themselves embroiled in public disputes, each blaming the other for the sport’s decline.

Islamabad, once a hub for top-tier domestic and international hockey events, has seen its hockey culture wither. One symbolic blow has been the discontinuation of free access to the PSB’s hockey grounds. What was once a breeding ground for young talent has been largely shut out from public use, cutting off opportunities for aspiring players in the capital.

Coaches and former players lament that “literally, the sport has been finished in Islamabad” due to this policy shift. Despite repeated pleas from hockey circles and consistent coverage in local media, the decision has not been reversed.

Pakistan hockey’s crisis is no secret. Once a dominant force on the global stage, with multiple Olympic and World Cup titles, the sport now struggles to qualify for major tournaments. Facilities are outdated, training programmes are sporadic, and player welfare is neglected.

The PSB and PHF, instead of joining forces to address these challenges, remain locked in a cycle of accusations, counter-accusations, and bureaucratic delays.

Both organisations operate under the umbrella of the state’s sports governance system, yet neither has shown a willingness to submit to truly independent audits or third-party reviews of performance and finances. The PHF’s reluctance to answer PSB’s questions mirrors PSB’s own unwillingness to open its books to public scrutiny. This lack of accountability has direct consequences for athletes.

The Prime Minister’s position as Patron-in-Chief of the PHF is theoretically meant to ensure oversight and direction. However, in practice, prime ministers — past and present — have had little time to engage deeply with sports administration. The PSB’s threat to escalate the matter to the PM’s office is thus seen as a political pressure tactic rather than a guaranteed solution.

Still, if the dispute reaches the Prime Minister, it could open the door to a deeper investigation into sports governance and funding in Pakistan. Whether such scrutiny will materialise, or whether it will simply become another political headline, remains to be seen.

Experts agree that the survival of hockey in Pakistan requires more than just resolving the PSB-PHF feud. Without these changes, the sport will continue to be a victim of administrative negligence and personal rivalries.

The PSB-PHF confrontation is not just a hockey issue; it reflects the broader malaise of sports governance in Pakistan. Cricket, football, athletics — all have suffered from similar turf wars, financial opacity, and disregard for athlete development.

Unless sports bodies are reformed to operate with genuine independence, transparent funding, and athlete-first policies, Pakistan’s proud history in various sports will remain just that — history.

For now, the written demarche to Tariq Bugti is a small chapter in a much bigger story: one of lost opportunities, squandered potential, and the steady decline of a sport that once brought Pakistan glory on the world stage.