By Digital Spartans 
The Pakistan Sports Board has formally initiated a nationwide scrutiny process of hockey clubs as part of efforts to ensure transparent, credible, and constitutional elections of the Pakistan Hockey Federation. The move is seen as a significant step toward strengthening governance in one of the country’s most historic sports.
According to an official spokesperson, the scrutiny is being conducted under a mechanism that has been approved by the PSB and jointly agreed upon with relevant stakeholders. While the Pakistan Hockey Federation will implement the process, it will remain under full supervision of the Pakistan Sports Board to maintain neutrality and fairness.
The initiative aims to verify the legitimacy and eligibility of affiliated hockey clubs that hold voting rights in the PHF electoral process. Officials say this step is necessary to eliminate irregularities that have previously raised concerns about election credibility within the federation.
In recent years, disputes over club registrations and voting rights have often delayed or challenged PHF elections. The PSB believes that a structured and supervised scrutiny mechanism can help address these longstanding issues and restore confidence in the federation’s electoral framework.
Under the process, clubs across the country will be required to submit documentation related to their registration status, operational history, and compliance with PHF and PSB regulations. These records will be reviewed to confirm whether clubs meet the criteria outlined in the constitution of the federation.
The PSB spokesperson emphasized that the objective is not to interfere in the affairs of the PHF but to ensure that elections are conducted in accordance with the law. The board maintains that its role is supervisory and aimed at safeguarding transparency rather than influencing outcomes.
Sports governance experts have welcomed the move, describing it as a positive development for Pakistan hockey, which has struggled with administrative instability alongside declining international performance. They argue that strong institutional processes are essential for reviving the sport at both grassroots and elite levels.
The scrutiny process is also expected to help create a more accurate and updated list of active hockey clubs nationwide. This could assist future planning, funding distribution, and talent development initiatives once the federation’s leadership is elected.
Officials have indicated that the exercise will be completed within a defined timeframe so that the PHF elections are not unnecessarily delayed. Once the scrutiny concludes, the finalized list of eligible clubs will form the basis for the electoral college.
The PSB has reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability across all national sports federations. It says similar governance-focused measures may be applied to other bodies where election-related disputes or administrative concerns arise.
For Pakistan hockey, long viewed as a symbol of national sporting pride, the process is being closely watched by players, administrators, and fans alike. Many see it as a critical opportunity to lay the foundation for more stable leadership and long-term reform within the federation.