Pakistan hockey team players have expressed strong reservations over the proposed daily allowance of Rs. 400, terming it as adding insult to injury.
The players stated that Rs. 400 is not even equivalent to a laborer’s daily wage, yet they are being asked to accept it as their allowance. “This is humiliation; how can anyone be valued less than this? Jobs are already scarce, allowances are rarely paid on time, and now Rs. 400 is being discussed. If this continues, we will be forced to quit hockey. The country has given us everything, but hearing about Rs. 400 is deeply disappointing,” the players said.
They added that players’ households are struggling to survive, while debates over their allowances continue.
On the other hand, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Rana Mujahid clarified that it was the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) that suggested Rs. 400 as the daily allowance. “The hockey federation pays players $100 as daily allowance. If the players are not satisfied with $100, how will they accept Rs. 400?” Rana Mujahid remarked.