Update on the Pakistan Hockey Federation conflict
Pakistan’s National Assembly Standing Committee on Sports has successfully achieved its goal by melting the cold between the former hockey stars and the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), who were locked horn over the criticism of Olympians being rendered
to the federation. The NA body which met on the other day succeeded to cool down the duo parties after heeding the arguments and manoeuvred them to work together in the best interest of the country as well the hockey, the national game of Pakistan.
The law makers, who were vexed by the confrontation of former hockey players and hockey federation came forward to resolve the matter with negotiations and achieved its aim. This concord will surely leave fruitful results on the performance of the hockey
team, which is already trapped in dismaying situation. Both parties stepped down for the betterment of the hockey and agreed to work together till the completion of Asian Games.
The stress between the former stars and Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) became heavier after the severe criticism by the Olympians on present federation and declared it responsible for the previous defeats. They also rebuffed the idea of sacking the seniors
after the Asian Games and said that this would spoil the confidence of the players.
The NA Body summoned the two inverse groups comprised of former Olympians and current officials of hockey federation and each side was given chance to express their stance over the prevailing forged condition of the team. The duo groups at last agreed to
work together for bringing improvement in the game.
Chairman NA Body, Iqbal Muhammad Ali said, “We decided that both sides will give chance to the national hockey team for showing their performance in the upcoming Asian Games and will co-operate each other to fortify the sport in the country”. He
said that it was overall an optimistic meeting, where duo parties had resolved the matter by dialogues. The former Olympians assured their cooperation to the team and promised for not levelling allegations against the federation till the end of Asiad. The
former stars also ensured their support to gear up the squad for the upcoming event.
Former Olympians Samiullah, Islahuddin, Naveed Alam and Shahnaz Sheikh in their face to face meeting with the officials of federation reaffirmed their promise for co-operating the PHF in the larger interests of country. They also anticipated the team for
wining a gold medal in the upcoming event. Former captains and star players said that they had decided to hold their criticism till the results of Asian event and linked their support with success of team.
Earlier, Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh pointing out faults of the federation said that it was following wrong policy while the coaching structure has completely failed to deliver results. He maintained that the performance of the team was humiliating since the
current officials had joined the federation.
Former star player, who was famous as the ‘Flying Horse’, Samiullah said that they decided to render their services towards the team and federation for the betterment of hockey. They would receive the team jubilantly if it wins in the Asian Games otherwise,
the officials would have to resign from the federation in the best interests of the game, he added. Another star performer, Islah clarified that they did not have any personal grudge with the federation however, they only wanted to enhance the team’s performance.
The President of Pakistan Hockey Federation, Qasim Zia said that they were focused to revive the past hockey status of the team by increasing funds and setting up training academies across the country. To a query, he stated that the foreign coach was hired
over the instructions of Senate Sports body.
Asif Bajwa the Secretary of Pakistan Hockey Federation, who is the most objectionable character in the federation during his briefing, said that the federation had received Rs 140 million in past two years but after this, the government had not provided
a single penny. Replying to the allegations levelled by the former Olympians, he said that they are working to improve the players’’ performance and hoped that the squad would win gold medal in Asiad.
The efforts of legislators to reconcile the federation and former Olympians will surely boost up the team’s spirit and help it to win title in the upcoming event.
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