PHF partners with HEC, Corporate Giants, and Legends for hockey’s resurrection
By Nawaz Gohar ; The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced a comprehensive and ambitious ‘Strategic Reform Agenda’ following the first meeting of its newly formed Ad-hoc Committee.
Chaired by PHF President Mohiuddin Wani, the meeting laid out a definitive roadmap designed to breathe new life into the national sport, spanning from grassroots development to elite international competition.
The new strategy is built upon three fundamental pillars: institutional transparency, data-driven talent identification, and professional management.
The high-profile meeting included Ad-hoc Committee Chairman Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui, legends Hassan Sardar and Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK Dr. Faisal, PM’s Coordinator Sardar Yasir Ilyas, and heads of the HEC, Federal Board, and IBCC, alongside top executives from PTCL and Jazz.
Addressing the committee, President Mohiuddin Wani stated, “Today marks a pivotal day for Pakistan hockey. We are moving away from temporary fixes in favor of a long-term strategy to build a system that is autonomous, transparent, and capable of competing on the world stage.”
Governance and Transparent Elections ;
A key component of the agenda is the establishment of a democratic and transparent system within the PHF. The committee approved a 90-day roadmap for a rigorous nationwide scrutiny of hockey clubs.
A specialized panel of legal experts, chartered accountants, and sports governance specialists will audit the financial transparency and activities of these clubs. Following this, a verified voters’ list will be made public to ensure fair elections are held within six to nine months under neutral supervision.
National Talent Hunt and Academic Partnerships ;
To cultivate a new generation of players, the PHF is launching a nationwide talent hunt in collaboration with educational institutions:
School Level (U-14 & U-16): Trials will be conducted in partnership with the Federal Board (FBISE) and IBCC, featuring digital profiling to track player performance.
University Level (U-21): The Higher Education Commission (HEC) will sponsor a Premier Inter-University Championship to serve as a feeder for the Junior National Team.
Corporate Partnerships and Financial Stability ;
To ensure financial sustainability, the PHF has secured major agreements, including a three-year “Corporate Revival Partnership” with PTCL, which includes the launch of the PTCL National Hockey League. Additionally, Jazz will collaborate on digitizing the fan experience and modernizing digital platforms, while Shifa International Hospital will provide specialized medical services for players.
Infrastructure and Departmental Revival ;
Through the efforts of Dr. Faisal, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, recycled AstroTurf from the Netherlands and Australia will be acquired and installed in underprivileged districts. Furthermore, Pakistan Customs has committed to reviving departmental hockey by forming new teams in Karachi and Lahore.
Professional Structure and Elite Management ;
The Federation will be restructured into six professional departments: HR, Finance, Marketing, Sports Medicine, High Performance, and International Liaison. Technical oversight will be provided by legends Islahuddin Siddiqui, Hassan Sardar, and Samiullah Khan. Their primary objective is to return Pakistan to the Global Top 10 rankings within 24 months, securing Asian Games medals and Olympic qualification.
120-Day Emergency Action Plan ;
For immediate impact, the PHF launched a 120-day emergency plan which includes:
Commencement of club scrutiny and financial audits.
Implementation of MoUs with HEC and the Federal Board.
Shortlisting candidates for the appointment of an International Coach.
Verification of the electoral college.
