KARACHI: Syeeda Shehla Raza, member of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination, has called for immediate and decisive action against individuals and elements responsible for pushing Pakistan’s national sport, hockey, to the brink of collapse.
At a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club, she and others demanded that a transparent and thorough investigation be conducted into those who have severely damaged the sport’s reputation. They urged that legal action be taken against the culprits who have embezzled national funds and undermined the integrity of the game, with a clear message that those responsible should face the harshest penalties under the law, irrespective of their position or influence.
They stressed the importance of keeping sports free from political interference and underscored that the national interest must take precedence over personal or political gains. They called for a robust process of accountability for those involved in human trafficking under the pretext of hockey, as well as those who have fraudulently obtained visas using the names of players.
Shehla Raza said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had taken swift and decisive action by addressing the crisis in national hockey. She said the Prime Minister had ordered the dismissal of incompetent officials from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and condemned the gross mismanagement and financial irregularities that plagued the Pakistan hockey team’s recent tour to Australia.
She also condemned the mistreatment of players by the PHF’s corrupt officials, who were ultimately sent home as a result of these issues.
