Tag: Pakistan Hockey

TOBA TEK SINGH: Former captain of the Pakistan Hockey Team, Rashid-ul-Hassan, has announced the auction of the Olympic gold medal and an honorary certificate in protest here on Monday.

Rashid, the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games gold medallist, announced the auction of the gold medal and the return of the World Olympic Forum Honorary certificate in protest during a press conference.

Speaking to the media in Gojra—a city in the Toba Tek Singh District in Punjab, Rashid pointed out the leadership of the hockey federation.

“The current leadership of the Gojra Federation is corrupt. The federation officials are responsible for the current poor state of Gojra Hockey,” he said.

Rashid-ul-Hasan further stressed the need for changes in the hockey federation to the Prime Minister.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should immediately replace the President and Secretary General of the Hockey Federation. The current President and Secretary General face corruption allegations,” he remarked.

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“Despite FIA notices, federation officials are moving around freely, said Rashid-ul-Hasan,” he added.

The 66-year-old sent the warning in case of non-action on his demands, noting that nationwide protests will be staged.

“If the government does not take action, the scope of the protest will be expanded nationwide, warned Rashid-ul-Hasan. The Prime Minister should appoint the President of the Hockey Federation on merit,” Rashid-ul-Hasan warned.

He further lamented the players’ allowance, claiming that federation officials were using funds for their own purposes.

“Federation officials use funds for their own travel allowances while players receive nothing,” he alleged.

“The government should take immediate action on corruption reports against Hockey Federation officials,” demanded Olympian Rashid-ul-Hasan.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has received an extension from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to confirm the national team’s participation in the forthcoming FIH Pro League, sources confirmed on Monday.

Sources further revealed that the FIH has granted a few days’ extension to the PHF in the deadline for its request, which was due to expire tomorrow.

A crucial high-level meeting regarding the Pakistan hockey team’s participation in the Pro Hockey League is expected tomorrow.

According to the sources, consultations on the Green Shirts’ inclusion in the marquee event will be held under the chairmanship of Rana Sanaullah.

The meeting will also be attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination and the Secretary of Finance.

Representatives from the Pakistan Hockey Federation and the Pakistan Sports Board will also present their proposals.

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Last month, the Pakistan hockey team received a formal invitation from the FIH  to participate in the Hockey Pro League, scheduled to take place in December this year.

The invitation followed New Zealand’s decision not to participate in the FIH Hockey Pro League due to financial constraints.

Consequently, the FIH gave PHF a deadline of August 12 to inform about its decision to accept or decline the invitation.

For the unversed, the FIH Pro League began in 2019 and is contested annually by the top nine national hockey teams, as ranked.

The team with the highest points at the end of the tournament is crowned Champion and awarded the Pro League Trophy.

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Pakistan could be in line for a return to top-tier international competition, with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) expected to offer them a spot in the upcoming Pro League following New Zealand’s withdrawal.

According to multiple media reports, Hockey New Zealand has officially pulled out of the Pro League, citing financial difficulties as the main reason.

The FIH had reportedly given New Zealand a deadline of July 21 to confirm their participation, but the Kiwis opted out before the cutoff date, informing the federation that budget cuts for the ongoing Olympic cycle had forced them to make tough calls.

This isn’t the first financial blow for New Zealand hockey; their women’s team had also been withdrawn from the Pro League earlier for similar reasons.

With New Zealand out, attention has turned to Pakistan hockey team, who finished as runners-up in the recent FIH Nations Cup and are next in line for promotion to the Pro League.

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However, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) says they have not yet received any official word from the FIH.

“We haven’t been formally informed about New Zealand’s withdrawal yet,” PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid said.

“If FIH contacts us, they are likely to give us some time to decide.”

However, Mujahid admitted that funding remains a major concern.

“Participation in the Pro League will require significant financial backing. We’ve already briefed the Government of Pakistan on the situation,” he added.

If Pakistan declines the offer due to financial or logistical constraints, France may emerge as the next potential candidate to take the vacant slot.

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Pakistan hockey team captain Ammad Butt has turned down an invitation to a luncheon hosted by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), citing insufficient travel expenses provided by the board.

The PSB had allotted a meagre Rs 5600 for Butt’s travel to Islamabad for the event.

However, the skipper refused to attend, stating the amount was inadequate even to cover the basic travel costs.

“This amount barely covers the toll expenses,” Ammad remarked while declining the invitation.

The luncheon was organised to honour athletes from various disciplines, with six members of the national hockey team among those invited.

Other than Ammad Butt, hockey team members Sufyan Khan, Rana Waheed, Abdullah, Muneeb ur Rehman, and Hannan Shahid were also invited to the event.

Top athletes from other sports were also on the guest list, including Olympic javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and Commonwealth Games gold-medalist weightlifter Nooh Dastgir Butt.

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It is worth noting that the Pakistan hockey team recently returned from Malaysia after finishing as runners-up in the FIH Nations Cup, where they lost the final 6-2 to New Zealand.

New Zealand produced a clinical display to outclass Pakistan in the title clash. Despite having two early goals disallowed, the Black Sticks found the net in the sixth minute through a penalty corner conversion by Scott Cosslett.

Sam Hiha then doubled the lead just before the end of the first quarter.

The Kiwis turned up the heat in the second quarter, adding three more goals via Dylan Thomas, Sean Findlay, and Scott Boyde to head into half-time with a commanding 5-0 lead.

Pakistan showed signs of a fightback in the third quarter, with Zikriya Hayat scoring their first goal. However, despite earning five penalty corners in that phase, they couldn’t convert further chances.

Cosslett struck again in the final quarter to make it 6-1 before Sufyan Khan pulled one back with a penalty corner conversion, but it was too little, too late.

New Zealand walked away with the FIH Nations Cup trophy, denying Pakistan a fairytale finish.

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KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan hockey captain Ammad Butt delivered an emotional message following his team’s 6-2 defeat to New Zealand in the final of the FIH Nations Cup 2024, held at the National Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

New Zealand produced a clinical display to outclass Pakistan in the title clash. Despite having two early goals disallowed, the Black Sticks found the net in the sixth minute through a penalty corner conversion by Scott Cosslett.

Sam Hiha then doubled the lead just before the end of the first quarter.

The Kiwis turned up the heat in the second quarter, adding three more goals via Dylan Thomas, Sean Findlay, and Scott Boyde to head into half-time with a commanding 5-0 lead.

Pakistan showed signs of a fightback in the third quarter, with Zikriya Hayat scoring their first goal. However, despite earning five penalty corners in that phase, they couldn’t convert further chances.

Cosslett struck again in the final quarter to make it 6-1 before Sufyan Khan pulled one back with a penalty corner conversion, but it was too little, too late.

New Zealand walked away with the FIH Nations Cup trophy, denying Pakistan a fairytale finish.

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Following the match, Pakistan hockey captain Ammad Butt, took to Instagram and expressed immense pride in the team’s journey.

“We didn’t lose. We won hearts. We brought hockey back to life,” he wrote. “After 11 long years, reaching the final was not just a milestone — it was a message: Pakistan is rising again.”

“This silver medal is not a defeat. It’s a symbol of hope, belief, and revival. A reminder that we are moving forward, and the dream is alive.”

Ammad also emphasised that the final loss does not mark the end but a new beginning.

“Yes, the trophy slipped away today, but the fire within us burns brighter than ever. We are not far from the day we bring it home, InShaAllah,” he added.

“This is not the end. It is just the beginning of a new chapter for Pakistan hockey. To the team — on and off the field — thank you for your heart, your unity, and your fight.”

He also thanked the nation for its support and prayers during the tournament, while stressing that the hockey team will keep fighting and giving their best.

“To the nation, your prayers and support kept us going. This moment belongs to all of us,” Ammad Butt stated.

“We will keep going. We will keep fighting. And we will fight till the very last breath. The journey continues. The dream lives on. Pakistan Zindabad.”

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KUALA LUMPUR: The Pakistan hockey team player Hannan Shahid became emotional following the Green Shirts’ qualification for the Nations Cup final here at the National Stadium on Friday.

Hannan Shahid was seen embracing Abdul Rehman in a video posted on the national team’s social media page.

Pakistan defeated France in a 3-2 penalty shootout, courtesy of goals from Rana Waheed Ashraf, Hannan Shahid, and Afraz. Overall, the Green Shirts have scored 12 goals in four matches.

Pakistan will now face New Zealand in the final, set to be played tomorrow.

The intense match started with both teams trying hard in the first quarter to score a goal.  France had their chances, with numerous penalty corners in the beginning and towards the end of the quarter.

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The second quarter began with a similar scoreline, as France and Pakistan both battled to calm their nerves. However, France managed to score the first goal courtesy of Smenjaud Xavier’s deflection.

As France entered the third quarter, the hopes for the Green Shirts qualifying looked grim. Charlet Victor pierced the nets with a flick, giving the French team a significant lead.

However, Afraz gave Pakistan a sigh of relief after scoring the first goal. In the crucial last minutes of the quarter, the Green Shirts scored back-to-back goals, taking the lead with a score of 3-2. Sufyan Khan and Hammadudin Muhammad both scored two crucial goals in the span of a minute.

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For the unversed, the Pakistan hockey team qualified for the semi-finals of the FIH Nations Hockey Cup due to a superior goal difference compared to the host nation, Malaysia.

Malaysia secured a 2-1 victory over Japan on Wednesday; however, they were eliminated because Pakistan scored nine goals in their three matches, while Malaysia scored eight.

On the same day, the New Zealand hockey team came from behind in a thrilling encounter to defeat Pakistan 4-3, sealing a semi-final spot.

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KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan hockey team captain Ammad Butt has publicly voiced his frustration over the lack of financial support, revealing that players have yet to receive their daily allowances despite reaching the semi-finals of the FIH Nations Cup.

The Green Shirts booked their place in the semi-finals after finishing second in Pool B and are set to face France on June 20. New Zealand and Korea will contest the other semi-final.

Speaking on behalf of his teammates, Ammad raised a heartfelt concern that mirrors the long-standing struggle of Pakistan’s national sport.

“Is there anyone who truly understands the struggles of Pakistan hockey?” Ammad questioned, drawing a stark comparison between the country’s cricket obsession and the declining fortunes of hockey.

“Do our politicians care about the national sport? Do ministers take an interest in the game that once brought Olympic gold to this country? Businessmen spend crores on cricket leagues, but when it comes to hockey, there’s no budget,” he lamented.

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According to sources close to the team, the players have been in Malaysia for over 10 days without receiving their daily allowances, which are reportedly PKR 30,000 per day.

The issue goes beyond the current tour; the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has also yet to clear payments for two recent training camps.

Players had requested partial payments before departing for Malaysia to manage basic expenses, but that plea, too, went unanswered.

“As players, our hearts ache,” Ammad Butt added. “We are still on the field, still fighting for the flag, but we cannot do it alone.”

“It is time for everyone, including the government, ministers, businesses, and citizens, to come together and revive the spirit of Pakistan Hockey before it is too late.”

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) decided to impose a lifetime ban on three national players along with a team physio for seeking asylum in Europe, ARY News reported on Thursday.

During a press conference, PHF Secretary Olympian Mujahid Ali revealed that players Murtaza Yaqoob, Ehtisham Aslam, Abdul Rahman, and the team physio travelled to Poland with the national team but failed to return.

Instead, they sought asylum abroad, reportedly submitting letters of apology to the Pakistan Hockey Federation.

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Rana Mujahid clarified that the players left the country without obtaining the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC), which is mandatory for such international travel.

As a result, the PHF has decided to ban these players and the physio for life, effectively ending their careers with the national team.

The Secretary further stated that the PHF would be writing to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further action against the individuals involved. These players were part of the Karachi camp in preparation for the upcoming Azlan Shah Cup.

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RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir heaped praise on the Pakistan hockey team for exhibiting brilliant performance in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024, ARY News reported Friday.

As per a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the national hockey team visited the General Headquarters Rawalpindi.

During the interaction, the COAS commended the team for their outstanding performance and said that the players have brought immense pride to the nation.

“We are committed to providing them with comprehensive support to ensure their continued success,” COAS General Asim Munir added. He also extended his best wishes to the players for their future endeavors.

The President of PHF expressed gratitude to the COAS for the opportunity to meet and interact with the team.

Pakistan secured the second spot in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 as Japan were crowned after a nerve-testing 4-1 victory over Pakistan in the penalty shoot-out.

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Pakistan and Japan, both unbeaten in the tournament, went hard at each other in the final and turned out to be inseparable by the end of the full time as their scores remained tied at 2-2.

This was Pakistan’s first appearance in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final after a long 13-year hiatus.

The national men’s hockey team gave brilliant performances throughout the tournament defeating hosts Malaysia, South Korea and Canada while settling for a stalemate against New Zealand in the group stage.

The meeting was also attended by President Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Tariq Hussain and other PHF officials.

President of Pakistan Hockey Federation Tariq Hussain and other PHF officials were also present on the occasion.

The President of PHF expressed gratitude to the Army Chief for meeting and interacting with the team.

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IPOH: Pakistan continued their dominant run as they defeated Canada 5-4, inching further closer to the finals of the ongoing Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 here on Wednesday.

The undefeated Pakistan side is sitting at the top of the points table with 10 points after four games in the tournament.

Pakistan struggled early on as Canada scored two goals in 17 minutes to take a dominant lead, however, Abu Bakr Mahmood brought Pakistan back into the game with a brace.

Arshad Liaqat, Rana Waheed Ashraf and Ghazanfar Ali followed suit and set up Pakistan’s 5-4 victory. For Canada, Sean Davis scored two, while Harbir Sindhu and Avjot Buttar scored one each.

Notably, Pakistan, as well as Japan, will confirm their place in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 final if the latter beat Malaysia later today.

Pakistan held Japan for a 1-1 stalemate and continued their unbeaten run in the ongoing Sultan Azlan Shah Cup yesterday.

Pakistan and Japan went hard at each other from the word go but neither of the sides could manage to get the upper hand and played out the first two quarters goalless.

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Japan then got the reward for their precision in the third quarter when Ken Nagayoshi converted a penalty corner in the 33rd minute.

Japan’s narrow lead persisted for the conclusion of the third quarter while the fourth quarter was also nearing its end, indicating at the possibility of Pakistan’s first defeat in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.

But Rana Waheed Ashraf turned the tide for Pakistan and lifted them to level the thrilling match after a perfectly crafted penalty corner in the last minute.

Earlier this week, Pakistan crushed South Korea 4-0 to register their second consecutive victory in the ongoing Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, after a flying start to their campaign with a nerve-testing 5-4 victory over Malaysia.

Pakistan squad for Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

Goalkeepers: Abdullah, Muneebur Rehman.

Defenders: Usama Bashir, Ehtisham Aslam, Mohammad Abdullah, Sufiyan, Abu Bakar (vice-captain), Ammad Butt (captain).

Midfielders: Salman Razzaq, Arshad Liaquat, Moin Shakeel, Zakria Hayat, Murtaza Yaqoob, Ghazanfar Ali.

Forwards: Abdul Rehman (Sr), Abdul Hanan, Rana Waheed, Ejaz Ahmad.

Standbys: Akmal Hussain, Aqeel Ahmad, Arbaz, Hammad Anjum, Abdul Rehman (Jr), Abdul Manan, Rooman.

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