Champions Trophy fiasco: Shahnaz Sheikh writes report to FIH

Pakistan hockey team coach pens his version of the controversy.


Nabil Tahir December 19, 2014

KARACHI: Disenchanted with the treatment meted out to the Pakistan hockey team during the recently concluded Champions Trophy, head coach Shahnaz Sheikh has written a report about the chain of events that occurred in India.

According to Sheikh, the report will first be presented to the Pakistan Hockey Federation, who will forward it to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) after studying it.

“I’ve written a report on all the decisions taken against us, which were not only detrimental to the team but are harmful for the future of hockey as well,” Sheikh told The Express Tribune.

While expounding on the details of the report, Sheikh said that the banning of two key players and other hurdles placed in Pakistan’s way were some of the tactics used to pressurise the players mentally.

“Our players took off their shirts and made some inappropriate gestures, but it was all in the heat of celebration and due to the contentious hooting and abusive language used by the Indian crowd,” said the coach.



He further stated that the German players also made the same gestures to Pakistan after scoring a goal, an episode which was neglected by the Indian media as well as the FIH.

“I have requested the FIH in the report that they take strong action against Hockey India’s behaviour for the overall betterment and future of hockey,” he said. “If they cannot bear defeat on their homeland, they should not host any international hockey events.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2014.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ