LAHORE: In a disturbing development for Pakistan, the Johor’s Hockey Association in Malaysia has written a letter to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) requesting a sum of $ 10,349.35 while citing additional accommodation and meals that were provided to the Junior team of the country that participated in the 11th Sulto of Johor Invitational Cup in Johor Bahru in 2023.
As the players and officials of the participating teams were eligible for accommodation and free meals during their stay for the event in Johor Bahru, then the president of PHF withdrew Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar with his relatives and close friends, five people, also went to Malaysia to witness the matches. But the organizers had not included them in the list of people who had been invited.
A letter written on February 27, 2025, a copy of which is available with SunriseHe was received at the PHF but aimed at the Junior team manager, requested a 45,770 Ringgit de Malaysia deposit ($ 10,349.35) for the stay and meals of the hotel.
When it was contacted, the secretary of PHF, Rana Mujahid, confirmed that the letter was received and added that the same had been sent to the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) citing all the expenses of said tour was assumed by them.
When asked if the payment of $ 10,349.35 was not the bone of the discussion that denied Pakistan an invitation to participate in the Sultan Azlan Shah this year, Mujahid dissipated the impression that said that Azlan Shah Cup organizers and the Johor Hockey Association were different identities.
“The Malaysian Hockey Federation has not invited Japan this time, which has no case of non -compliance. In fact, the Malays had sought teams of greater classification this year and unfortunately [currently] Pakistan is not included among the best teams in the world, “said the secretary of PHF when Dawn contacted.
According to a letter, the Secretary General of PHF Interim Shahid Parvez Bhandara had asked the PSB to organize a camp for the Azlan Shah Cup and also demanded TA/DA, food and accommodation for the camp.
Meanwhile, it is known that Brig Khokhar during the 2023 event went to Malaysia with some family members and PHF officials. The visit was not mandatory, especially if it was not invited.
“I do not know if the president of PHF was invited by the organizers, but we did, we received a letter and was sent to the PSB,” said the PHF secretary.
It can be mentioned here that the PHF due to the unprecedented decrease of the country in the international hockey and corruption scandals from 2008 to 2022 already faces severe criticism from several former Olympics and hockey lovers.
The general auditor of Pakistan had included 113 paras as objections in his audit reports for the 2008-2022 period and the cases in this regard had been delivered to the Federal Research Agency (FIA). However, it seems that FIA for several years has been working at a rhythm of a snail in all cases.
Posted in Dawn, April 27, 2025
