Pakistan national hockey players have declined a suggested daily allowance of Rs. 400 as ‘unfair and insulting’.
They aver it is less than what a laborer receives for a day’s work. It doesn’t reflect any respect for their devotion.
Players showed immense disappointment, saying it’s difficult to keep playing for the country with this kind of financial hardship.
Some of the players intimated that they will resign from hockey if things don’t get better in the near future. Survival is a matter of daily struggle.
For all this, the players are still willing to represent Pakistan with pride on the world stage.
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But they underlined that increasing training, travel, and living costs are unaffordable with such a negligible allowance.
The current controversy reflects the persistent financial crisis in Pakistan’s hockey system.
Once a national sport of pride, hockey in Pakistan now faces meager funding and little government support.
Shortage of sponsorships and planning further pushed the sport into the doldrums, players complain.
With no financial security, young players are losing interest in playing hockey as a career option.
Players have asked sports authorities to revise the allowance immediately and raise training and living standards.
They feel greater support is necessary to provide a better performance and eventual success at the global level.
Until such time, Pakistan’s hockey future hangs in the balance, stalled by financial mismanagement and neglect.