PSB begins scrutiny of hockey clubs ahead of PHF elections

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has initiated a nationwide scrutiny of hockey clubs in coordination with the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) as part of governance reforms aimed at ensuring transparency and credibility in the forthcoming PHF elections, according to a press release.

A PSB spokesperson said the scrutiny process has been launched under a PSB-approved and jointly agreed mechanism, which will be implemented by the PHF under PSB supervision.

“The scrutiny of hockey clubs has formally begun under the umbrella of the Pakistan Sports Board. This is a transparent, uniform and rule-based process being carried out jointly with the Pakistan Hockey Federation to ensure fair and credible elections,” the spokesperson said.

According to the PSB, all hockey clubs seeking eligibility to participate in the PHF electoral process, including both existing and newly formed clubs, will be examined strictly in line with approved criteria.

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For this purpose, a Joint National Committee for Scrutiny of Clubs, comprising representatives from both PSB and PHF, has been constituted.

The spokesperson said club data is being collected through an online portal, while PSB has been granted full supervisory and audit access to monitor the process at every stage.

The scrutiny will primarily be document-based, with a one-time opportunity provided to clubs for rectification, if required. Provisional and final lists of eligible clubs will be published following completion of the process.

A defined objection and adjudication mechanism has also been put in place.

Affected clubs will be able to file objections within a prescribed timeframe. Appeals will first be heard by the PHF, while final adjudication will rest with a PSB-designated adjudicator, whose decision will be final for election purposes.

The PSB spokesperson added that random physical verification of selected clubs will also be carried out to confirm their physical existence and declared home grounds, describing it as a key step to strengthen the credibility of the exercise.

“Any scrutiny or electoral process conducted outside this jointly approved framework will not be recognised,” the spokesperson warned.