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Friday March 29, 2024

Rizwan played with fractured ankle: doctor

ISLAMABAD: One of the experienced hockey players, Rizwan Senior played last leg of the matches during Pakistan ill-fated campaign in Antwerp (Belgium) with fractured ankle, revealed team doctor during his audience with Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) fact-finding committee that met in Lahore Thursday.The committee comprising Olympian Mansoor Ahmed, Shahid Ali

By Abdul Mohi Shah
July 24, 2015
ISLAMABAD: One of the experienced hockey players, Rizwan Senior played last leg of the matches during Pakistan ill-fated campaign in Antwerp (Belgium) with fractured ankle, revealed team doctor during his audience with Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) fact-finding committee that met in Lahore Thursday.
The committee comprising Olympian Mansoor Ahmed, Shahid Ali Khan and Ikhlaq Ahmed interviewed Dr Asad Abbas, leading player Shafqat Rasool and selector Musaddiq Hussain.
Dr Asad said that Rizwan who was given treatment when he got injured during the course of tournament played the last few matches with fractured ankle. “When Rizwan was given initial treatment, he declared himself fit and ready. Since he declared himself fit and did not complain of any pain, he was included in the playing XI. The fact of the matter was he had hairline fracture of ankle that hampered his all-out efforts. The X-ray on return home revealed that Rizwan played with fractured ankle,” Dr Asad told the committee.
Though he did not reveal reasons as why Rizwan did not complain the pain he was having, it is generally believed that he took the injury too lightly. “Accompanied officials got satisfied with what player said instead of getting his x-rays to know the real position.”
Shafqat who appeared before the committee complained about lack of preparations for the important event and the stress under which players were going through. The repeated failures by the PHF to acquire the win bonus and contact money from the government added to their worries.
“Lack of funds hampered Pakistan preparations for the event. The training camp was established late. There was no wisdom in organising tour to Korea. That tour did not fetch anything except bringing in extra fatigue for the players.”
He also complained about lack of facilities on offer during short training camps. “Extra facilities should have been on offer for the camp. A lengthy camp on best available artificial surface should have been organised for the important events.”
Selector Musaddiq Hussain complained about the lack of players’ pool. Musaddiq who along with chief selector Islahuddin were the only selectors who watched trials meant for the selection of team for Olympic qualifiers. They said that they had no choice but to name team from only 24 available players.
Meanwhile, the committee is expected to visit Karachi to interview chief selector and some of senior journalists that have had the experience of covering mega international events.