Hockey: ‘No participation in World Series’

PHF confirms no player will take part in tournament in India.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Qasim Zia has confirmed that players will not participate in the World Series of Hockey after directions by the sport’s governing body.

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has intimated to the PHF asking to refrain its players from participation in the tournament that is organised by an unrecognised body in India.

“We have received intimation by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) about the unofficial league and have been asked to refrain from any involvement,” said Zia.

“In the line of the FIH direction, the PHF and its affiliated units and players will not participate in league.”

‘Heuvel will return’

Zia brushed aside any floating differences with team coach Michel van den Heuvel, asserting that the Dutch will return on February 5 to witness the national championship.

‘Selection committee’s role limited’

The federation will also limit the functions of the selection committee, empowering the team management to pick up the final squad out of the pool selected by the selection panel.

“We have been addressing the issue of late and the most likely option is to empower the team management to pick the final squad,” Zia told reporters at the federation’s headquarters.

“The idea is to give autonomy to the team management to ensure accountability. But we are looking to get the selection committee on board as well so that the panel would bring down a possible pool of players in the camp,” added Zia.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2011.