Pakistan Hockey Federation not to permit players to contest World Series Hockey – Hockey News
Despite the fact, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) softened its stance regarding the annual league of World Series Hockey (WSH); the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is not ready to permit their players to partake in the lucrative league.
The PHF was of the opinion that national players would not permit to don the colours in the money-spinning tournament until Hockey India, the official governing body of India recognised it.
A media handout from the WSH, the joint venture of Nimbus Communication and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) issued on Wednesday claimed that some eight hockey players from Pakistan including Rehan Butt, Imran Warsi, Adnan Maqsood, Mudassar Ali, Tariq Aziz,
Waseem Ahmad, Shakeel Abbasi and Zeeshan Ashraf have inked their contracts with the rebel league. As per the media handout, Rehan Butt, the veteran hockey star will lead one of the eight teams in the annual league.
PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa while explaining the situation made it clear the federation is not in mind to allow the players for partaking in the Indian league. It is pertinent to mention here that the World’s hockey governing body had permitted the hockey players
who have made contracts prior to the March 31 of this year. However, the international body made the NOC from the concerned federation necessary in this regard.
The PHF Secretary further said that they do not have concerns with the World’s body about the affiliation. He clarified that they are concerned with Hockey India which had not recognised the league worth millions of rupees. He said, “For us it is not about
the FIH but Hockey India, who don’t recognise the league as it is organised by the Indian Hockey Federation and not by the country’s official hockey body, Hockey India.”
To a query regarding former skipper Zeeshan Ashraf, the Secretary said, “He will also be prevented from playing even though he is no longer a part of the national team. But he still plays with the National Bank of Pakistan which happens to be a PHF-affiliated
department.”
On the other side, Pakistani seasoned striker Rehan Butt while giving his reaction over media handout said that the league would help the players to learn international experiences as well the financial matters. However, he was not sure whether he would
be part of the well-paid league or not.
Explaining the situation, Butt said that he inked the agreement prior to March 31 and he is eligible as per the FIH stance. However, he would not contest the event if PHF will stop him in this regard. He clarified that though the league would provide handsome
amount in the head of match fees but he would not be roped in case if the league proved unofficial by the Pakistan Hockey Federation.
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