PSB starts audit of hockey club ahead of PHF elections

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has officially started the process of auditing hockey clubs across the country in coordination with the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) as part of governance reforms aimed at ensuring transparency and credibility in the upcoming PHF elections.
Speaking on the occasion, a spokesperson of the Pakistan Sports Council said that the screening process has been initiated under a PSB-approved, mutually agreed mechanism, which will be implemented by the PHF under the supervision of the PSB.
“The audit of hockey clubs has officially started under the umbrella of the Pakistan Sports Board. This is a transparent, uniform and rule-based process conducted jointly with the Pakistan Hockey Federation to ensure fair and credible elections,” said the PSB spokesperson.
The spokesperson explained that all hockey clubs seeking eligibility to participate in the PHF election process — including old clubs and newly formed clubs — will be strictly considered according to the approved criteria. For this purpose, a joint National Group Audit Committee has been established, consisting of representatives of PSBs and PHFs.
According to the spokesperson, the club’s data is collected through an online portal, while the PSB has been given full monitoring and control access to ensure transparency at every stage. The screening process will be primarily document-based, with provision for a one-off opportunity for correction where required, followed by publication of the provisional and final lists of eligible clubs.
He also said that a clear objection and adjudication mechanism has also been put in place, allowing affected unions to file objections within the stipulated time frame. Appeals will be heard first by the PHF, with a final hearing by a judge appointed by the PSB, whose decision will be final for electoral purposes.
The PSB spokesperson added that random physical verification of selected clubs will be conducted to confirm their physical existence and domicile declarations, terming it an important step to enhance the credibility of the process.
“Any audit or election exercise conducted outside this mutually approved framework will not be recognized.”