LAHORE: Doubts over Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming World Cup in Bhubaneswar have been cleared after the cash strapped Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) found a saviour in the local subsidiary of Chinese multinational Haier, which has offered its patronage to the national team for the next two years.
Addressing a press conference here Saturday, PHF president Brig (retd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar told local media that PHF and Haier have penned a sponsorship deal under which the consumer electronics and home appliances company will support Pakistan hockey till 2020.
Pakistan hockey was in dire straits and was begging for financial assistance for its immediate stint which is the upcoming Hockey World Cup. The tournament will be played in Bhubaneswar from November 28 to December 16.
Khokhar further informed that Haier will not only be supporting the national hockey team but will also sponsor women’s team and help in the conduct of the domestic hockey events.
Khokhar further stated that the government has given the PHF PKR410 million (Rs 223 million) during their tenure and they have also asked the government for the conduct of the PHF audit. He further stated that Sindh government had extended PKR120 million (Rs 65 million) to the PHF.
Afridi, who also owns Pakistan Super League franchise Peshawar Zalmi, said the sponsorship deal will cover all international tours of senior and junior national teams as well as domestic hockey.
“It is a big relief for us. Javed Afridi, who owns the Peshawar Zalmi franchise has signed the sponsorship deal to uplift Pakistan hockey on behalf of his company, Haier Pakistan,” PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed said. “Pakistan team is going to India for the World Cup,” he added.
The PHF had earlier warned that if the government didn’t give a grant of PKR80 million (Rs 43 million) it would jeopardise Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup. The Imran Khan-led government had until Sunday not released any grant despite hockey being the national game of Pakistan.
“Now we are just waiting for the visas of our players and officials,” the PHF secretary said.
The PHF had also sought a loan from the country’s cricket board, but the PCB had outrightly turned down the request.
Shabaz said due to the just-inked sponsorship deal, the PHF would not only be able to send the team to India but also clear the outstanding dues of the players, who have not been paid daily allowances for the recent Asian Champions Trophy and camps.
The last time Pakistan played in Bhubaneswar it qualified for the final of the Champions Trophy in December, 2014.
