PM Shehbaz Awards Rs1.5m to Each Hockey Player After World Cup Qualification

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a reward of Rs1.5 million for every member of the national hockey team following their successful qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup. According to a report by state-run Radio Pakistan, which cited a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Premier recognized the squad’s performance as a “significant step towards promoting hockey in Pakistan.”

The Prime Minister maintained that the team’s journey through the qualifiers in Egypt generated immense excitement and enthusiasm among fans. He stressed that this monetary reward was a “clear testament” to the players’ steadfastness and their hard work in reclaiming Pakistan’s spot in the global arena.

Ending an Eight-Year World Cup Absence

This qualification marked a major comeback for the Green Shirts, ending an eight-year drought. After missing both the 2014 and 2023 editions of the tournament, the national team finally secured its place for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands this August.

The path to the World Cup was finalized on March 6, when Pakistan delivered a high-stakes performance to edge out Japan with a 4-3 victory in the semi-finals in Egypt. This win guaranteed the team a spot in the upcoming tournament and signaled a resurgence for the national game.

Recommended

Shaheen Afridi Signals a Bold New Era for Pakistan CricketPrime Minister Shehbaz Announces 14-Point Austerity Plan to Combat Economic Severity7 Sehri Buffets In Karachi You Need To Try This Ramadan

Reviving the Legacy of the Four-Time Champions

Pakistan, once a dominant force with four World Cup titles to its name, had faced a difficult decade in international rankings. The Premier’s acknowledgment, as reported by Radio Pakistan, highlighted a commitment to restoring that legacy.