Pakistan Hockey Federation Resolves Training Camp Dispute

The two rival factions of the Pakistan Hockey Federation have finally come to a resolution to end the separate training camps for the national team. Following government intervention, an agreement was reached for all players to attend the ongoing camp in Islamabad supervised by Dutchman Roelant Oltmans. Oltmans will also lead a three-member selection committee to finalize the squad for the upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia.

The decision was made after discussions led by Prime Minister’s coordinator on Youth Affairs Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan, who aims to address the leadership dispute within the PHF in the next two days. The International Hockey Federation had set a deadline for Pakistan to decide on a single team for the Azlan Shah Cup, prompting the government's swift action.

Once the selection committee announces the team, a new camp will be established in Islamabad before the team departs for Malaysia on April 2. Mashood emphasized the urgent need for a new policy to revive Pakistan's hockey legacy, attributing the sport's decline to mismanagement by the PHF.

Meetings with both factions were attended by key officials, including PSB director general Shahid Islam and Olympian Khawaja Junaid. Despite the approval of Bugti's faction's training camp, a government source indicated that final decisions are still pending.

In conclusion, the unity achieved in consolidating the national team's training camps marks a significant step towards revitalizing Pakistan's hockey prowess and addressing internal governance challenges within the PHF.