Pakistan's national hockey team players have publicly expressed deep frustration and anger over significant delays in receiving their salaries, allowances, and promised bonuses. The athletes, who represent the country in its traditional national sport, feel neglected and disrespected by the authorities, drawing a stark comparison with the perceived preferential treatment given to the nation's cricketers.
Financial Strain and Broken Promises
The core of the issue revolves around unpaid financial dues owed to the players by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). According to the reports, the players have not received their monthly salaries for several months. Furthermore, promised bonuses for their participation and performance in major international tournaments have also not been disbursed.
This includes substantial bonuses promised for playing in the prestigious FIH Nations Cup in Poland and the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, India. The cumulative financial burden has placed the athletes, who dedicate their lives to the sport, in a precarious personal and economic situation.
'We Are Not Cricketers': A Cry of Neglect
The sentiment of being treated as second-class athletes was powerfully encapsulated by a player who stated, "We are not cricket players". This comment underscores a widespread feeling within the hockey fraternity that their sport and its players are systematically undervalued compared to the immensely popular and commercially successful cricket team.
Players highlighted that while the national cricket team enjoys significant financial security, brand endorsements, and consistent support from the board, hockey players are left fighting for their basic contractual earnings. The delay in payments is not an isolated incident but appears to be a chronic problem plaguing the administration of hockey in the country.
Impact on Morale and Performance
The ongoing payment crisis has severe implications beyond just financial hardship. Player morale is reportedly at an all-time low, which directly threatens the performance and future of Pakistani hockey on the world stage. How can athletes focus on rigorous training and national duty when they are worried about supporting their families?
This situation risks derailing the progress and revival of a sport with a glorious past in Pakistan. The players' public outcry is a desperate measure, signaling a breakdown in trust between the athletes and the governing body, the PHF. It calls into question the federation's ability to manage its core responsibility: supporting its players.
The protest by the hockey players puts the spotlight squarely on the priorities of Pakistan's sports administration. It raises critical questions about equitable treatment for athletes across different sports and the sustainable management of federations. The resolution of this payment issue is crucial not only for the welfare of the current players but also for sending a message to future generations about the value of representing the nation in hockey.
