KARACHI, Feb 16: Under-fire Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has found itself in hot waters after the state-run PSB has confirmed that it had given the sports body more than 10 million rupees to arrange for hotel accommodation of the national team in Australia.
The PHF and PSB have been under fire after it came to light that the Pakistan hockey team had to wait for hours at Sydney airport as the federation had not arranged for any accommodation or food for the players and officials at the airport before their onward flight to Canberra.
The team had to endure a chaotic start to their FIH campaign after being left without hotel accommodation upon arrival in Canberra, reportedly due to unpaid bills by the PHF. After travelling for nearly 24 hours from Lahore to Australiaahead of the second leg of the Pro League, the players and support staff reached the designated four-star hotel, where they were informed that no booking existed in their name.
The players had to wait for hours outside the hotel with their luggage in two, before immigrant Pakistanis in Canberra arranged for cheap Airnb accomodation.Next day Pakistan lost 2-2 in their first match against Australia.
The PSB has now issued a photocopy of the cheque for 10 million and 5 lakh rupees it issued to the PHF on January 28 to pay for the hotel accommodation.
This confirms that the PSB had done its bit by paying for the air tickets of the team and also for the hotel accommodation and had also issued daily allowances to the players in advance. (PTI)
