PSB orders Pakistan Hockey Federation to halt election process

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has ordered the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to halt its election process and has sought a written explanation from the federation within seven days.

In a letter to the PHF, the PSB said that the hockey federation does not have the authority to conduct elections on its own.

It said the registration and scrutiny of clubs through an online portal was illegal and that the two-member election commission formed by the PHF had no legal standing.

The PSB said that it had already clarified the legal position in a letter issued on November 26, adding that the PHF’s decision to independently conduct elections amounted to a violation of Article 17.

According to the letter, the conduct of PHF elections, along with the registration and scrutiny of clubs, falls under the jurisdiction of the Pakistan Sports Board.

The PSB directed the hockey federation to submit a written explanation within seven days regarding what it described as illegal actions.

The PHF had earlier announced its own election schedule, prompting the PSB to ask the federation to respond within seven days over issuing the schedule without approval.

The PSB also made it clear that PHF elections will not be held without permission from government authorities.

Reports said the PHF had announced the formation of a two-member election commission.