PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met members of the national hockey team in Lahore after their recent qualification for the 2026 Hockey World Cup, promising jobs and medical support for the players. Naqvi met captain Ammad Butt and others and during the meeting the players shared details of the unpleasant incidents they faced during the recently infamous tour of Australia for the Hockey Pro League. Addressing their concerns, Naqvi assured them that steps would be taken to ensure better treatment in the future.”
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Naqvi has announced several new initiatives aimed at ensuring greater safety and care for athletes. He said steps would be taken to offer job opportunities to hockey players who are currently out of work, along with medical assistance for those injured while representing the country.
“Hockey players will be given full support in terms of fitness and medical facilities,” Naqvi said, adding that the PCB would continue to work with the national hockey team as it had done in the past.
The PCB chairman also congratulated the players for qualifying for the World Cup in August and expects them to put up an impressive performance during the tournament. Naqvi also appreciated the dedication and hard work of the players during the qualifying tournament in Egypt.
Team coach Khawaja Junaid expressed his appreciation and thanked the PCB chairman for his support and said it boosted the morale of the players and helped the team in tough times.
Pakistan has secured a place in the 2026 Hockey World Cup after defeating Japan in the qualifying semi-finals of the tournament. The event is scheduled to start on August 14, 2026 in Belgium and the Netherlands. Pakistan last participated in the tournament in 2018. After the resignation of former Pakistan Hockey Federation chief Tariq Bugti, this is the second time Naqvi has met the players over the past month.
MORE REWARDS FOR THE PAKISTAN TEAM
After qualifying for the World Cup, Pakistan Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif announced a cash prize of PKR 1.5 million for each player.
“Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif announced a cash prize of Rs 1.5 million ($5,357) for each player of the national hockey team in recognition of their outstanding performance in World Cup qualifiers,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.
“This move is not only a recognition of the team’s hard work and dedication to the game, but also a significant step to promote hockey in Pakistan.”
Pakistan is the most successful country in the men’s World Cup history, winning the trophy four times.
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Published on:
12 March 2026 11:48 IST
