Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi pledged to keep supporting the national hockey team until the current crisis surrounding the sport comes to an end.
Mohsin Naqvi met members of the national squad in Lahore, where players shared details of unpleasant experiences they reportedly faced during the Pro Hockey League.
Expressing regret over the alleged treatment of the team, he assured them that they would not be left on their own and would receive full backing at an institutional level.
“We will facilitate hockey players in every possible way and extend complete cooperation to streamline hockey matters,” Naqvi said during the meeting.
With Pakistan preparing for the upcoming World Cup Qualifier tournament in Egypt, Naqvi directed officials to immediately arrange essential requirements for the team, including:
- Air tickets
- Playing kits
- Hotel accommodation
He also ordered the establishment of a training camp starting Friday and instructed that all arrangements be finalised by Thursday night to avoid any last-minute hurdles.
Mohsin Naqvi further instructed that injured players should receive immediate medical care under PCB supervision. He urged the team to stay mentally locked in on performance rather than off-field problems.
“You should only focus on the game. Pakistan’s honor comes first. We will not allow the country’s dignity to be compromised under any circumstances,” he told the players.
During the meeting, Naqvi also distributed cheques worth Rs1 million each to the players, following through on an earlier commitment made after the team finished as runners-up in a recent national hockey tournament.
Players thanked the PCB chairman for personally meeting them and for offering support and encouragement during what they described as a difficult period.
Naqvi: “I’m Not Becoming PHF President”
After the meeting, Naqvi issued a clear clarification that he was not taking over the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), but would continue to help the players until the situation stabilizes.
“I am not becoming Hockey Federation President, but we will assist players till this turmoil ends,” he said in a post on X.
The clarification came shortly after Tariq Bugti formally resigned as PHF President, sending his resignation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
