Pakistani players keen to contest World Series Hockey (WSH)
Apart from severe warnings issued by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), many Pakistani hockey stars are keen to join the Indian rebel league, namely World Series Hockey (WSH). It is vital to mention here that the PHF, the national governing body of Pakistan,
has strictly warned their players to keep distance with the unofficial league of India.
A separatist group of Hockey India, namely IHF (Indian Hockey Federation), claims to be the real federation of the country. It is a joint venture with Nimbus Communication that has launched a hockey league on lines of the Indian Premier League (IPL). As
per the media claims plenty of players across the world, including Pakistan have joined the unofficial league.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and Hockey India (HI), separately, declared it as unofficial, warned the hockey playing countries and associated federations, to stay away from rebel league. Following the clear-cut directives from world body, the
PHF also warned their players to keep space from the WSH otherwise they would be banned from the national and international hockey.
Pakistani players reportedly have signed the contracts and wanted to contest the unofficial league. Muhammad Saqlain, the former skipper of the national team, while speaking to the media said that many players are keen to partake in the multi-million dollar
event.
The PHF also dispatched warning letters to senior players asking them to announce disassociation with the Indian rebel league otherwise be ready to face severe punishment. However, Saqlain, who has also signed a contract with the league, confirmed that the
officials of the WSH were in contact with the national players. He said, “Many players are in constant contact with the organisers and some also get some money in advance to play the event.” As per the media claims, Muhammad Saqlain is an agent of the WSH
in Pakistan to organise the players.
In his views, the league is a great chance for the senior players to conclude their careers on high notes whether through financial means or fame. The upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup will be the final event for the senior players as the federation is mulling
to bring new faces for the 2012 London Olympics, he added.
The former skipper was of the view that the Greenshirts though clinched the Asian Games gold medal, but the federation could not persuade the sponsors to assist the declining state of hockey. He not only explained the benefits of the WSH, but also encouraged
the players to join the league. He said that no one would stop the senior players to obtain fine privileges.
He maintained that the players would have no other option to meet the both ends except to join the multi-million dollar league. He stated, “They have to earn their bread and butter and since the PHF is not guaranteeing them a place in the team, the seniors
are left with no choice but to participate in the World Series to make money.”
Muhammad Saqlain was of the opinion that the league having glamorous touch would further promote the sport across the globe and may capture more sponsors. Hockey is not a famous sport as compared to cricket, football or tennis and the players have not found
many exciting opportunities in the field of hockey.
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