Former Hockey player Adnan Zakir slams PHF over Hannan Shahid’s treatment
- Laiba Abbasi
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
Former Pakistan hockey player Adnan Zakir has strongly criticised the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) after young national player Hannan Shahid was reportedly sent back from Australia due to financial constraints and lack of proper medical support.
In a post on social media platform X, Zakir expressed deep concern over what he described as the federation’s failure to provide basic medical facilities to its players. He claimed that the PHF does not even employ a full-time sports physiotherapist and was unable to bear the cost of Hannan’s treatment abroad.
“Hannan Shahid is being sent back home due to a lack of funds. PHF doesn’t even have a sports physio and can’t afford his treatment in Australia,” Zakir wrote. He also thanked the Australian team’s physiotherapist for stepping in to assess and assist the injured player.
Zakir went on to criticise the federation for what he termed as negligence towards talented athletes. He said that young players are often used and discarded without proper care or long-term planning.
“This young, talented boy needs to be well looked after. Unfortunately, PHF treats players like tissue paper,” he added.
Hannan Shahid, regarded as one of Pakistan’s promising hockey prospects, was undergoing treatment during the team’s tour of Australia. His premature return has raised serious questions about the management and financial stability of the federation.
Sports analysts and former players have also echoed Zakir’s concerns, calling for urgent reforms within the PHF. They stressed the need for proper medical infrastructure, transparent funding, and better welfare policies for national athletes.
So far, the Pakistan Hockey Federation has not issued an official response to the allegations.
The incident has once again highlighted the long-standing challenges facing Pakistan hockey, including administrative issues, lack of sponsorship, and declining international performance. Observers believe that without immediate action, the country risks losing more young talent in the future.
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