Pakistani Hockey Players not likely to contest the rebel World Series Hockey
The outcome of the warning released by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) started coming out, as the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) categorically stated that the country’s players will not partake in the lucrative World Series Hockey (WSH).
The statement came out soon after a forewarning was issued by the FIH, threatening the hockey players to stay away from the money-spinning league or be ready to face bans.
It was also revealed that the FIH, in a joint venture with Hockey India, will introduce an official league at the earliest.
Building upon the same statement, the PHF asserted that no player will go to play for the rebel league. It also elucidated that any player who joins hands with the $2 million worth WSH will be barred from domestic tournaments.
The clear-cut warning hampered the plans of many Pakistani hockey players, including the former skipper, Rehan Butt. He was not considered for the Champions Trophy, and therefore he was mulling to participate in the well-paid event.
Secretary, Pakistan Hockey Federation, Asif Bajwa stated, “There is no question of Pakistani players taking part in WSH. Not a single player will play”.
He clarified that the Green-shirts will play a bilateral series with the Chinese hockey team that will be visiting Pakistan on December 19, 2011.
The Secretary remarked, “FIH has written a letter to us which clearly states that this league is unsanctioned. Our national team members will not take part in it and those who are not in the team at present will also follow the suit. All the players who
are affiliated with our units will have to avoid this league”.
World Series Hockey is a money-making event hosted jointly by the Nimbus Sports and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), a body not recognised by the world’s hockey governing unit. The FIH only recognised Hockey India as the national governing body of the sport
in the country.
Media reports claimed that as many as nine Pakistani players had inked their agreements with the rebel league, among them Rehan Butt was a famous name.
It is worth highlighting here that Rehan was picked up as a skipper for one of the eight franchise-based teams.
Rehan Butt termed his participation quite difficult after the PHF prohibited the players to take part in the event.
He said in a clear-cut way that the players are not bound to contest the league if their jobs are at risk. He added, “It is clearly mentioned in our contract that we can stay out of the league if our job is in jeopardy”.
Other players who signed contracts with the unsanctioned league were: Zeeshan Ashraf, Mudassar Ali, Tariq Aziz, Adnan Maqsood, Waseem Ahmad, Syed Imran Warsi and Shakeel Abbasi.
Surely, the players will not be happy over PHF’s stance on WSH, as their aims to earn money will not be fulfilled.
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