Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Asif Bajwa supports FIH’s Decisions
For years Pakistan and India has been of the view that the sub-continent Hockey has suffered mainly because FIH is run by the Europeans.
Both the countries have been constantly criticizing the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for making ‘anti-Asia’ rules and regulations.
The popular view in the so-called Asian giants — Pakistan and India — has been that the Federation is run by the Europeans and due to this reason that it continues to connive against Asian hockey so that teams like Netherlands, Spain and Germany can dominate the Hockey at the international level. Introducing synthetics turf and a series of new rules executed in the game over the years are the major decisions aimed against Asia. These developments have reduced the role of Asian giants to the world hockey during the last three decades.
However Asif Bajwa, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary, does not have the same opinion in this regard. While talking to the media he said that the bounce back of countries like India and Pakistan would ultimately benefit the FIH and the federation is well aware of the fact, which is why they are favouring both the teams. FIH is keen to promote the game in the sub-continent because it would give hockey an immense boost up at the international level.
To support his view, Bajwa quoted the example of a recently held competition committee's meeting in Singapore where the FIH’s powerful committee supported the idea of increasing the number of competent for the Champions Trophy from six to eight. The committee also voted in favour of introducing an all-new ‘World Series’ for the qualification of the World Cup and Olympics.
Bajwa said the FIH is scheduling decisions that will benefit teams like India and Pakistan.
“We have been pushing for them since last year and have complete support from key nations in the FIH,” he added.
The International Hockey Federation is planning to increase the number of competing teams from six to eight in the Champions Trophy from next year. FIH is going to initiate two wild card entries in the prestigious event, the Secretary Pakistan Hockey Federation, Asif Bajwa told the media reporters on Tuesday.
Bajwa, who had attended the recent FIH's competition committee's meeting in Singapore, told media that there was a suggestion to launch two wild card entries in the prestigious event of Champions Trophy from 2011 or 2012.
"The matter was discussed at the competition's committee meeting and the committee has now recommended that teams in the Champions Trophy be increased to eight with two wild card entries," he said.
Teams like four times World Champions Pakistan and their all times rival India, who has failed to qualify for the prestigious event in recent years, is probable to get those wild-cards.
Pakistan and India have been insisting for the wildcard system in the Champions Trophy.
The FIH is also planning to launch a World Series that will facilitate pass up setbacks like India’s failure to berth in for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. India, the most triumphant hockey nation in the history of Olympics, failed to succeed a qualifying event in Chile and was smashed out of the race for Beijing.
“According to the proposal, a World Series involving 28 teams will be launched that will serve as qualifying platform for the World Cup and Olympics,” said Bajwa.
In the new qualifying process for Olympics and World Cup three top teams from the World Series, five continental winners, and three more ‘top-ranked’ teams along with the hosts will make up for the World Cup or Olympic Games.
Bajwa said the idea aims to boost the reputation of hockey globally.
All the proposals of the competitions committee will be forwarded to the Executive Board of the Federation which is likely to approve them in November.
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