Former Olympians want PHF to take a firm stand

KARACHI: Former hockey Olympians have expressed dismay over expulsion of Pakistan from the Junior World Cup, which is starting from December 8 in Lucknow.

Hockey stalwarts said that it was not a minor issue. They said the Junior World Cup was the most important event for the country because the seniors had been out of the World Cup and the Olympics.

Shahnaz Sheikh, a star forward of his time who was chief coach when Pakistan won silver medal in Champions Trophy in India in 2014, said that it was most regretful that Pakistani team was not permitted to participate in the event in India despite having qualified.

Shahnaz said that PHF should take a firm stand against this wrongdoing and take all legal measures, including going to FIH legal committee or International Olympic Committee because FIH is a part of IOC.

He said that IHF should realise what its role was. “They have forgotten that there is a thing called fair play. When Pakistan play with India more than one billion people of the region are involved. One can imagine the popularity of such matches and their marketing importance. But the Indians have lost their focus. There is still time for IHF to rethink and ensure visas for Pakistani players and officials,” he added.

He said that PHF should take up this issue with utmost motivation to stop this wrongdoing of IHF. “Otherwise Pakistan would have to face several other setbacks,” Shahnaz said.

Former Olympian goalkeeper Qamar Zia said that PHF should be firm in its talks about the expulsion of Pakistan as the side had duly qualified for this important event. “It is a must for the revival of Pakistan’s hockey. On what basis can they (FIH) expel Pakistan in less than 24 hours after warning,” he said.

He said that PHF could seek justice at various forms, including sports arbitration court, FIH legal committee and IOC.