Pakistan Hockey: Senior players express annoyance on PHF age-limit law
Senior hockey players have expressed acute aggravation over the decision of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) regarding changes in the age limits for the National Hockey Championship, which is going to be started on December 25th, 2010 in Peshawar,
the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), the national governing body of the sport, has prohibited the players over 30 years old in the male and female categories from participating in the championships.
The spokesperson of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Tuesday, December 20th announced the ban citing that the players aged above 30 years would not take part in the tournament, as they wanted to promote new talent in the country.
Senior players of Pakistan’s hockey team rendered severe criticism on the federation saying that such decisions are meant to exclude the experienced players from the national game.
Though, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has permitted the players of the national squad to take part in the tournament from their concerned departments; however the remaining over-age would not be facilitated.
Captain of Pakistan’s national hockey team, Zeeshan Ashraf declared the decision of PHF as unfair and unhealthy for the sport promotion activities. He said, “I think it’s unfair. It’s like trying to send players home, snatching their jobs. Many players
will lose their jobs, especially those who are employed on a contractual basis.”
Zeeshan further said that the decision of the PHF is befuddling, since players over 30 could represent the national squad then why not take part in the national hockey championship.
Joining the stance of Zeeshan Ashraf, another legendary star, Muhammad Shabbir stated that the Pakistan Hockey Federation with the new law had borne off his retrieval in the national team, which is completely unjustifiable.
Muhammad Shabbir, the player of centre half position was part of the national squad from 2000 to 2006 and took part in many international tournaments. He further said that new talent should be provided chances but it had not meant that the experienced and
senior player should be send home without any reason.
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