Former hockey greats slam Indian federation

KARACHI: Pakistan’s former greats have slammed Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) for asking Pakistan to apologise over an incident that happened in Champions Trophy 2014 in New Delhi.

The Indian authorities want Pakistan to apologise before any bilateral series.

Shahnaz Sheikh, who was the manager and head coach of the Green-shirts when Pakistan reached the final of Champions Trophy 2014 by defeating India in the semi-final, said that there was no need to play with India. “On a number of occasions, the bilateral series was postponed because of India’s unwillingness, even before that incident. So we also should not play with them; India is not a leading hockey playing country right now,” he said.

He said that FIH had put a ban on two Pakistani players for one match each after Pakistan’s victory over India in the Champions Trophy 2014 semi-final. He said he had apologised at that time and there was no need to dig up that old issue.

Shahnaz mentioned that Pakistan had not been given proper security during that tour.

He said the PHF must not respond to the statement of an ordinary IHF official.

He said the PHF should ask the Indian authorities why Pakistani players were not given visas for participation in the Junior World Cup 2016. “It was a great setback to our hockey,” he added.

Shahnaz asked PHF to organise the Pakistan Hockey League in the country so that international players could be attracted.

He also said that FIH president Narindar Buttra, a former IHF president, should realise that he is the custodian of world hockey affairs. “He is not there to favour India. This sends a very wrong message to the world of hockey. He should act as president of FIH not the IHF,” he demanded.

Former Olympian Shahid Ali Khan said that PHF should take this issue up at all international forums. “Why is IHF raising that issue after two years? And who wants to play hockey with this non-sporting country (India)?” he said. “They had suspended our main players at that time because of which we lost the final,” he added.

Shahid asked the PHF to demand that Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) shift Asia Cup 2017 from India. He said India could deny visas to Pakistan players as it did before Junior Hockey World Cup 2016.

Qamar Zia said that it was surprising that India was asking Pakistan to apologise. “They prevented our team from participating in the Junior World Cup and are now digging up an old issue to stop our teams in other international events,” Qamar said.

Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) president Dr Junaid Ali Shah said that instead of giving importance to IHF on an issue which was two years old, the PHF should make up its mind to strengthen Pakistan team by playing with other teams. “India should know that we are not desperate to play against them. There are great teams like Holland, Germany, Australia, Great Britain, Spain, New Zealand and Olympic champions Argentina. We can play against them anywhere,” he added.