Former Olympians accuse PHF of money laundering

ISLAMABAD: Hours after the 54th meeting of PHF’s Congress, a group of former Olympians headed by Manzoor Hussain Junior termed the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s meeting unconstitutional and the one which was participated by only friends and family members.

Manzoor, who virtually have won all the gold medals offered in hockey world, also announced holding series of protests and ‘dharnas’ against the PHF officials, who according to him were holding these posts unconstitutionally.

“According to Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) laid down rules, every federation is given specific time to hold their elections within the expiry of their tenure. The PHF elections were held after that period that means the elected members are holding their posts unconstitutionally.”

Manzoor Junior, who was also accompanied by Olympians Khawaja Junaid, Naveed Alam, Khalid Bashir and Salim Nazim besides officials of Sindh, Gujranwala and Karachi hockey associations, said that he had already started a legal battle against the sitting PHF.

“We will fight on all the fronts by initiating a legal battle against this unconstitutional federation. Arranging protests and dharnas would be our key focus in days to come.”

He also accused the PHF of money laundering. “As many as 70,000 Euros laundered to Holland on the PHF letterhead that also has the name of prime minister as patron-in-chief. Prime Minister Imran Khan who himself is a legendary cricketer should take notice of this gross violation.”

The 1984 Olympic team medal-winning captain said Pakistan lost eight times against India during the last three years.

“This has been our worst ever performance against India. We finished 12th in World Cup and our performances in Champions Trophy and Commonwealth Games were also worst ever.”

Khawaja Junaid and Khalid Bashir said the PHF had sent teams to 27 destinations during the last three and a half years.

“We want total record as how many players, officials and non-concerning individuals were issued visa letters by the federation.

“An FIH accountant Adnan Shahid and his wife were issued letters for Australian visas, which were denied by the Australia High Commission.”

The two said that PHF secretary and president must resign to save Pakistan hockey.

“The PHF has changed all the support staff. Now it is time for the PHF officials to think on their own ‘change’.”

Gulfraz Khan, who introduced himself as secretary Sindh Hockey, expressed his utter disgust over some PHF officials’ recent move that deprived deserving players of their jobs in Karachi. “Such actions are tantamount to working against the game.”

Naveed Alam said that the federation had been made an enterprise where friends and family members were allowed to get benefits. “It is more a federation for friends and family.”

Haider Hussain, secretary Karachi Hockey, and Ali Abbas, a member PHF Congress, said that they were ready to take the battle to this ‘illegal’ federation.