PHF pays first instalment of FIH Pro League fine

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has submitted the first instalment of fifteen thousand dollars through Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to International Hockey Federation (FIH) as a fine for pulling out of the Pro Hockey League at the eleventh hour.

The News has learnt from well-placed sources that the first installment that was forwarded to FIH on the eve of the Eidul Adha would pave the way for Pakistan to play 2020 Japan Olympic Hockey qualifying round. “The PHF has submitted the first installment of 15 thousand dollars to AHF which will forward the amount to FIH. The first installment will pave the way for Pakistan to compete in the Olympic qualifying round. Through PHF high ups recent meeting with the FIH, Pakistan have been given the permission to play the qualifying round provided country pays the reduced fine imposed for missing the Pro League days ahead of its start.”

The installment paid is the first of three to be paid by the PHF till end of year. The News has learnt that all PHF has to pay is fifty thousand dollars (to be paid in three installments) fine. The FIH Disciplinary Commission recently has decided to reduce the fine on PHF to a considerable amount.

The Commission has also decided to divert half of the remaining fine amount back on the game’s promotion in Pakistan at grassroots level. Almost the same amount that the PHF will be paying to FIH is to be spent on club hockey developments and to generate activities at town and district level. It also provides provincial and federal governments to put some extra amount in helping restart activities at the district and club levels.

The game of hockey has long been waiting for government’s involvement in promotion of the game at school and club levels. It is hoped that decision on the part of FIH Commission to divert half of the fine to grassroots level an awakening call for the provincial governments which are supposed to take the front seat when it comes to working for the game’s uplift at educational institutions. Following devolution of Ministry of Sports to provinces, their responsibility has become even bigger.

The PHF in its hand out following FIH decision confirmed recently that Pakistan has reached an agreement with the international body according to which the former Olympic and world champions have been allowed to compete for a place in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. At the same time, the fine imposed on Pakistan for pulling out of FIH Pro League has been reduced to considerable level. Argentina and Holland have withdrawn their compensation case against Pakistan reducing the total amount of the fine to 25 percent. Furthermore the FIH has also allowed PHF to invest the rest of half amount of the fine on grassroots hockey development in Pakistan and share the progress with AHF.

The FIH had set the August 19, 2019 deadline for Pakistan to submit the first installment of fine. Pakistan’s roadmap for Olympics is to be given clearer look by the mid-September when all the hockey continental competitions will conclude.

Pakistan is expected to get a tough opponent to play for a place in the qualifying round. That tough opponent could be anyone from the European powerhouses. Pakistan Olympic Qualifying matches are expected to be held in October.