Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has released a special grant of Rs5.3 million for the national hockey team and coaches for remaining unbeaten in the Commonwealth Games staged in Gold Coast, Australia earlier this year. At the Commonwealth Games in April this year, though Pakistan’s hockey team failed to produce any top-class performance, they didn’t face defeat in any match drawing four pool matches before beating Canada to bag seventh place in the 10-nation hockey contest. “The outgoing Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi recently announced a special prize for the national hockey team for remaining unbeaten at the Commonwealth Games. This prize money is meant to encourage the players ahead of this year’s Asian Games,” said Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary general Shahbaz Ahmed Senior. While hailing the government’s decision of releasing the grant, Shahbaz said the money would be distributed among players and coaches. When contacted, a Pakistan Sports Board spokesman confirmed Saturday the PSB had received Rs5.3 million for hockey. “On Monday, we will hand over the amount through cheque to the PHF,” he said.

Published in Daily Times, June 10^th 2018.