*ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan hockey team members have come up on an open revolt against the PHF administration.*
*Players have said that they will not participate in the Asian Games 2018 in Indonesia until their dues are cleared. *
“The whole team has decided that we will not go to Indonesia for the Asian Games if we are not paid our dues,” the captain of the hockey team, Rizwan Sr said.
“We have been playing tournaments for the country but the government has not paid us for the past six months.”
The players said that the team will not be able to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Japan if they do not participate in the Asian Games 2018. “The government pay us our salaries right now,” said one team member.
Rizwan Sr asked how the team can be expected to win if there is no money.
According to the team captain, the players were upset about not being paid. He said that the entire team has decided to boycott the games until they get their salaries. “This is not a rebellion,” said the captain. “We have played for the country and have been waiting for our salaries for the past six months.”
Earlier, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had said that the team may not be able to perform in the upcoming Asian Games if their funds are not released. “We can only start preparations if there are funds,” manager Hassan Sardar said in a press conference. “Our entry into the tournament can be in jeopardy if there are no funds.”