Hockey: Making Pakistan my priority has got me nowhere, says Imran

Imran is perplexed that despite a good performance in the national championship, which was a criterion for selection, he was not included in the list of Olympic probables. PHOTO: EXPRESS

KARACHI: Former captain Mohammad Imran has questioned the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) decision to omit him from the list of Olympics probables after the seasoned campaigner had rejected an offer from the India league to prolong his international career.

Imran, who remained Pakistan’s regular captain in 2011, was one of the senior players besides Waseem Ahmed and goal-keeper Salman Akbar to be sidelined for the camp that starts next week in Lahore to prepare players for the mega event. The trio’s hopes of participating in the Olympics were also dashed as the PHF stated that no additions will be made to the list.

Chief selector Hanif Khan said the players were dropped on the basis of poor performance in recent international and domestic tournaments including the Champions Trophy and the National Hockey Championship. But Imran felt there were other reasons for his snub.

“I should’ve been the first choice if the national event was the criterion,” Imran told The Express Tribune. “I led my team [Army] to the semi-finals and my performance was also good. The PHF must give me genuine reasons, which is my right as I’ve served Pakistan for years.”

‘I rejected WHS offer for Pakistan’

Imran added that he rejected an offer to play in the lucrative but unsanctioned World Hockey Series in India for the interest of the Pakistan team, unlike his teammates.

“Many Indian players and officials gave lucrative offers last year but I never showed interest. The reason was that I was the captain at that time and I wanted to be a role model. But look at what I’ve got in return.”

Imran added that he was still hoping to represent Pakistan at the Olympics and was keeping himself fit to be considered for the national team.

“But if it’s the PHF’s final decision then I will look to play foreign leagues because hockey is my bread and butter.”

A nonsense decision: Waseem

Meanwhile, Waseem termed the PHF’s decision as ‘nonsense’.

“The PHF invested heavily on us last year by sending us on lengthy tours,” he said. “Now all the training we received will go in vain. I’m not desperate to play in the Olympics because I’ve already played twice but the authorities should question such illogical PHF decisions.”

The 35-year old said he will shortly leave for the WHS where he will represent the Bhopal Badshahs.

Coach unhappy with team selection

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that coach Michel van den Heuvel is also unimpressed by the PHF’s decision to sack these seniors.

“The coach is not happy,” said a player. “He wanted to field the players he had been working with since he joined. This decision has been taken by the PHF itself for reasons yet unknown.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2012.