Pay Dispute Threatens Pakistan Hockey Team’s Participation in Pro League
A pay dispute has emerged within the Pakistan men’s national hockey team as senior players have threatened to boycott the upcoming phase of the FIH Pro League, which is set to take place in Australia in February. The conflict arises from claims that players were not fully compensated for their daily allowances during their recent trip to Argentina.
Several players have expressed their dissatisfaction regarding payment, leading them to send a strong message to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). Two national team members confirmed to PTI that they have warned of potential non-participation if this issue remains unresolved.
The players were promised a daily allowance of PKR 30,000 (around USD 110) for the Argentina tournament. However, they received only PKR 11,000 per day, a discrepancy that many find unacceptable.
One player shared, “We were assured we would receive 30,000 rupees daily during the Pro League in Argentina, but last week we found only 11,000 rupees in our accounts. That feels unfair.”
He added, “Based on current exchange rates, 30,000 rupees is about 110 dollars, while 11,000 only translates to around 40 dollars. That’s a significant difference for us.”
During their time in Argentina, Pakistan played four matches but unfortunately lost all of them. With four additional matches scheduled in Australia for the next phase of the FIH Pro League, the players’ participation now hangs in the balance due to the ongoing dispute over payments. This situation has raised concerns about the team’s readiness for international competition.
In response to the players’ grievances, the PHF stated that the payments are managed by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), which has its own funding rules. PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid explained, “Our policy is to pay players 30,000 rupees daily, but since the PSB is funding this phase of the Pro League, we have limited options.”
Pakistan secured its place in the FIH Pro League after finishing as runners-up at the Hockey Nations Cup in Malaysia earlier this year. However, the ongoing allowance dispute threatens to overshadow the team’s international presence and future participation in major tournaments.
