PHF bans three players, physio for life

LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has imposed lifetime bans on three hockey players and a physiotherapist who applied for political asylum abroad without informing the federation.

The individuals are players Murtaza Yaqoob, Ehtisham Aslam, Abdul Rehman, and physiotherapist Waqas.

According to PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid, the players and the physio had traveled abroad as part of the national team to participate in the Nations Cup, with scheduled stops in Poland and Holland. Despite returning to Pakistan with the team initially, they later left the country and applied for political asylum.

Rana Mujahid said that the PHF has substantial evidence that these individuals traveled abroad and subsequently sought asylum. “We had invited them to join the national training camp, but they lied to us, claiming that they had family engagements,” he stated.

The PHF plans to write to the Ministry of Interior to request the cancellation of their passports. Additionally, letters have been sent to their respective departments, informing them of the bans and the actions taken.