The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has been ordered to obtain government approval. Before confirming participation in the FIH Junior World Cup, which is slated for India at the end of next year. PHF Secretary-General Rana Mujahid stated that the national squad would need a No Objection Certificate from the federal government before travelling to the FIH event in December 2025. The Pakistan junior team was unable to compete in the Junior World Cup.
This was held in Lucknow in December 2016, since visas were not provided due to late application submission. Pakistan qualified for the event after coming second in the Asia Cup, which took place in Oman recently. The Greenshirts lost the continental final to India 3-5. According to the PHF secretary, the national senior hockey championship will be contested in Karachi. It is scheduled between December 27 and January 8.
He also discussed the PHF’s financial troubles but stated that the situation had improved and that the federation had recently paid unpaid daily allowances and other dues to senior and junior team players and officials. Rana also discussed the financial challenges facing Pakistan hockey. The PHF settled all allowances and dues for players and match officials in Karachi between December 27 and January 8.
Government Interference Killing the Spirit of Hockey
Pakistan won the Junior Hockey World Cup in 1979 in Versailles, France, and finished as runners-up in 1993 in Terrassa, Spain. In 1982 (Kuala Lumpur), 1985 (Vancouver), and 1989 (Ipoh), Pakistan finished third. Pakistan finished seventh at the 2023 championship in Kuala Lumpur. Mujahid said, “The Junior World Cup is important for us as we intend to build a strong senior squad that can qualify for the next World Cup and Olympics.”
“Something we have not done for the last two editions of the summer games. Normally we have always been permitted by our government to play in major events in India in recent years despite the strained relations between the two countries. But now we have been informed to first get clearance. The government is supporting us and we are hopeful the Sindh government will also release our annual grant soon.”
