LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday met players of the men’s national hockey team and promised to address their complaints over alleged mistreatment during the Pro Hockey League, promising full institutional support ahead of the World Cup Qualifier in Egypt, while making it clear that he has no ambitions to lead the Pakistan Hockey Federation.
In a meeting held in Lahore, Mohsin Naqvi met members of the national hockey team, who informed him about unpleasant incidents they faced during the Pro Hockey League. He regretted the alleged mistreatment of the players and assured them of full institutional support.
“We will serve hockey players in every possible way. We will extend full cooperation to streamline hockey affairs,” Naqvi said.
The PCB chairman ordered officials to make immediate arrangements for flight tickets, playing uniforms and hotel accommodation for the team ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifying tournament in Egypt.
He also ordered that a training camp for the players be set up starting Friday, with instructions that all preparations be completed by Thursday night.
Naqvi further ordered that the injured players receive immediate medical treatment under the supervision of the PCB, urging the players to remain focused on their games.
“You should focus only on the game. Pakistan’s honor comes first. We will not allow the country’s dignity to be compromised under any circumstances,” Naqvi told the hockey players.
During the meeting, Naqvi also distributed checks of Rs 1 million each to the players after their second place finish in the recent national hockey tournament, fulfilling an earlier announcement.
The players thanked the PCB chief for meeting them and for his support and encouragement during a difficult time.
After the meeting, Naqvi categorically clarified that he would not become the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) but would continue to help the players until the agitation ended.
“I will not become president of the Hockey Federation, but we will help the players until this turmoil ends,” Naqvi wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
His clarification came after Tariq Bugti formally resigned as PHF president and sent his resignation to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
