The Pakistan hockey team has raised concerns over the Pakistan Sports Board’s (PSB) offer of a meager Rs400 daily allowance deeming it an inadequate payment.
At first, the Pakistan hockey team turned down the PSB’s invitation to a luncheon tomorrow, where players would have received a check for Rs5,600 and Rs 400 per day as pocket money.
The purpose of the allowance was to pay for their event-related expenses.
The team captain, Imad Shakeel Butt, strongly objected to the offer, stating, “This amount isn’t even enough to cover toll expenses.” His firm response exposed the players’ frustration at the lack of financial recognition.
But after being persuaded by Pakistan hockey coach Tahir Zaman, Imad Butt eventually agreed to attend the luncheon in Islamabad.
Six members of the national hockey team have been invited, including Hanan Shahid, Sufyan Khan, Rana Waheed, and Abdullah Muneebur Rehman. Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem and weightlifter Nooh Dastgir Butt are among the other athletes invited.
The incident has brought attention to Pakistani athletes’ long-standing lack of financial support and compensation, especially in hockey, which used to be the nation’s most popular sport.
