Introduction
In a move that has sparked public outrage and deepened the wounds of Pakistan’s forgotten national sport, the country’s national hockey players were recently handed cheques worth just Rs. 6,000 as a token of appreciation by the Sports Board. The gesture, intended as a form of support or recognition, was quickly met with sarcastic remarks from players and backlash from the public. For athletes representing a country that once ruled the hockey world, this meager amount has come to symbolize the chronic neglect of Pakistan’s sporting heroes.
“What are we supposed to do with such a huge amount?” one player reportedly said, dripping with sarcasm.
This incident is not just a moment of poor optics—it reflects the systemic decay in Pakistan’s sports administration, the growing disrespect toward athletes, and the urgent need for reform.
The Incident: A National Embarrassment
According to reports, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) handed out Rs. 6,000 cheques to members of the national hockey team following a recent training camp or tournament engagement. Many players believed this would be a stipend or performance bonus—but what they received was barely enough to buy groceries for a week.
Photographs circulating on social media showed smiling officials posing with oversized “ceremonial” cheques while players looked visibly uncomfortable and disillusioned. The attempt at a PR-friendly event backfired spectacularly.
Instead of gratitude, the moment was met with ridicule and disbelief.
“This amount is insulting—not even close to what a national-level player deserves,” said one senior player anonymously.
Public Reaction and Social Media Uproar
The reaction online was swift and furious. Hashtags like #HockeyHumiliation, #Rs6000, and #SupportOurAthletes began trending on Pakistani Twitter. Netizens mocked the Sports Board’s gesture, posting memes comparing the cheque to a “tip” given at a roadside hotel.
Many users pointed out that Rs. 6,000 wouldn’t even cover fuel costs for a week in major cities like Lahore or Karachi, let alone the expenses of a full-time athlete.
“Our hockey players brought Pakistan Olympic medals. Now we give them what? Peanuts?” tweeted one user.
The outrage crossed over to Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp groups, with former athletes and sports journalists also weighing in.
Reactions from the Players
Several national hockey players spoke to the media under conditions of anonymity, fearing backlash from federation officials. Their comments painted a bleak picture of what it means to represent Pakistan in anything other than cricket.
“We train in old facilities, live in dormitories that are not fit for professional athletes, and now we’re told this is our reward?”
— Anonymous national team player
Some players questioned why the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) receives billions in funding while other sports are treated like charity cases.
The Sports Board’s Response
In a press release, the Pakistan Sports Board said the cheque was a “token gesture” intended to support the players during a tough period. Officials claimed that this was not meant to be their full stipend or remuneration and blamed “budget constraints” for the low amount.
However, critics argue that if the PSB was aware of the limited amount, it should have avoided the publicity stunt altogether. Holding a ceremony for such a small cheque showed a lack of sensitivity and awareness, they said.
“They could have quietly transferred the money to their accounts instead of embarrassing the players in public,” a former sports administrator told local media.
Chronic Neglect of National Hockey
This is not a standalone incident. Pakistan hockey has been in steady decline for over two decades.
Once considered the powerhouse of world hockey, Pakistan has won three Olympic gold medals, four World Cups, and countless Asian titles. But in recent years, the team has failed to qualify for global events, struggled to get sponsors, and faced consistent mismanagement.
Training camps are often cancelled due to lack of funds. Coaches and staff go unpaid for months. Players buy their own kits or rely on aging equipment.
“We’ve gone from global champions to charity cases,” said a retired hockey captain in a television interview.
Disparity Between Sports in Pakistan
The contrast between cricket and other sports in Pakistan is staggering. While top cricketers receive salaries in millions of rupees, enjoy brand endorsements, and travel first-class, national hockey players struggle to buy basic gear.
The government, media, and corporate sector have all prioritized cricket, leaving little room for growth in other disciplines.
This imbalance is reflected in:
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Budget allocations that overwhelmingly favor cricket.
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Sponsorship deals that ignore athletes in hockey, boxing, athletics, or squash.
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Prize money structures that leave non-cricket athletes dependent on token government gestures.
The Emotional Toll on Athletes
Beyond financial hardship, there is a profound emotional cost to this treatment. Many young players lose motivation to pursue careers in hockey. Talented individuals leave the sport early, seeking more stable professions or moving abroad.
“When I saw the cheque, I laughed—but inside, it hurt. It’s hard to explain to your family why you keep doing this,” one junior player said.
Mental health, self-worth, and national pride suffer when athletes are treated like afterthoughts.
International Comparisons
Other countries treat their athletes very differently:
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India: Hockey players receive monthly salaries, insurance, and performance bonuses. Olympic medal winners are awarded crores.
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Australia & Netherlands: Full professional support systems with physiotherapists, psychologists, and nutritionists.
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UK: Lottery-funded athlete programs provide stable income and retirement planning.
Even within South Asia, Pakistan lags far behind in how it rewards its athletes.
What Needs to Change?
This incident has reignited calls for a complete overhaul of Pakistan’s sports management system. Sports analysts, former Olympians, and parliamentarians have recommended:
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Immediate increase in athlete stipends across all sports.
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Independent audit of Sports Board expenditures.
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Merit-based appointments in sports federations.
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Public-private partnerships to attract funding and sponsorships.
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Media coverage incentives for non-cricket sports.
Some have also called for a dedicated Ministry of Sports, separate from cultural and tourism departments, to ensure more focused policy-making.
Conclusion
The Rs. 6,000 cheque controversy is more than a moment of embarrassment—it is a symbol of the deep institutional failure in how Pakistan treats its sports talent. Hockey, once the crown jewel of the nation’s athletic glory, is now reduced to an afterthought, with its champions mocked by their own support system.
Until Pakistan takes serious steps to reform its sports infrastructure, respect its athletes, and invest in long-term development, such incidents will continue to occur—further alienating generations of talent.
The question remains: If our national heroes are being treated this way, what message are we sending to the next generation of athletes?
