Ex-Olympian Danish terms PHF polls unjust

LAHORE: Former Olympian Danish Kaleem Wednesday declared the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) elections unjust and asked the election commission to clear the objections of more than 25 district associations otherwise there will be protest in Islamabad.

Talking to media at a news briefing, Danish said that around 14 districts of Punjab including Sahiwal, six of KP and a large number of Sindh’s districts have termed the PHF elections as undemocratic. He said he also submitted his objections before election commissioner Ch Riaz. “In an undemocratic fashion favoruite persons were given seats, which is not tolerable,” he maintained. Danish said that he is not hungry for any position but only want to see the PHF runs justifiably. “The game could not be revived by benefiting favourite while sitting in drawing rooms but it could be revived by bringing in practical persons.”

“I have been told that I live in Gojra when my ancestors lived in Sahiwal since 1947 and even my vote is also from Sahiwal. On the other hand, Irfan Senior lives in Karachi but he was made a representative of Gojra. Akhlaq Usmani after losing in Rawalpindi is now a representative from Jehlum. “The PHF is benefiting only its family members. Secretary Shahbaz Senior has given a seat to one of his relatives while brother of PHF president Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar is secretary of Punjab. How can the game could survive when relative are given benefits,” he revealed.

He said that they would hold a protest in front of the office of Chief Justice of Pakistan with a request to save the national sport from ruins. He also questioned the election process when the tenure of PHF expired on November 2017. “The elections of 2013 were fair because no official issued an objection letter but now the favoritism has closed limits. He said he would to go to any limit because he have the support of a large number of districts.