ANSAR BHATTI

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah has announced that the ad-hoc system in the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will be abolished soon, paving the way for the appointment of a permanent president through elections.

Addressing in the signing ceremony of an agreement between the Pakistan Hockey Federation and the International Hockey Federation (FIH), Rana Sanaullah said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had issued clear directives to ensure that Pakistan hockey regains its former stature. He added that the government would extend all possible support and resources for the promotion of the national game, including preparations for the upcoming FIH Nations Cup.

Recalling Pakistan’s glorious hockey history, the PM’s adviser said the country once ruled world hockey, but the current performance of the national team had become deeply disappointing. He said the results of Pakistan’s hockey matches were painful to hear, particularly when countries that were once relatively unknown in international hockey had moved ahead of Pakistan.

He regretted that internal differences and disputes had severely damaged the national game, stressing that only individuals with commitment, passion and the required capabilities should be entrusted with the responsibility of running hockey affairs.

Rana Sanaullah said the government had appointed Mohiuddin Wani as the ad-hoc president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, but the federation must have a permanent president. He confirmed that elections would be held soon to end the ad-hoc arrangement and establish a regular leadership structure.

He further emphasised that the government would not appoint anyone who lacked the ability and commitment to lead the federation. The objective, he said, was to bring forward competent leadership capable of taking practical steps to revive Pakistan hockey and restore its standing on the international stage.