Lifeline for World Hockey Series after merger

Indian bodies join hands, league gets official backing.

KARACHI:

The under-fire World Hockey Series (WHS) received a timely boost after Hockey India (HI) and the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), two rival bodies running hockey in the country, merged.

The merger also gave hope to three Pakistan players signed up to play in the lucrative event that is scheduled to take place in December in India.

The IHF, the body previously organising the series, had approached star players including Rehan Butt, Mohammad Waseem and Shakeel Abbasi to sign up. However, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) refused to recognise the tournament due to a conflict between the IHF and HI- the latter being affiliated with the sport’s governing body.

But the merger has cleared way for WHS and gives hope to the 176 participating players, including 40 locals.

According to HI Secretary Narendra Batra, while the tournament will go ahead as planned, another league will be organised by them as well. Meanwhile, according to the FIH officials, the global body is awaiting details and will issue a statement only after an official confirmation.

But players have termed the merger ‘good news’ and, according to Butt, they are looking forward to it.

“It’s a good concept to bring hockey back into the limelight,” Butt told The Express Tribune. “But we are still waiting for the FIH to make a final decision. I never intended to disobey FIH regulations and I will only take part if the Pakistan Hockey federation (PHF) allows me. I said yes when they [IHF] approached me because it will make a big difference to the game. When they gave me the contract it said that the FIH had approved it.”

Meanwhile, Butt said that the WHS might clash with preparations for the 2012 London Olympics.

“This event is scheduled after the Champions Trophy therefore I’m just concentrating on staying fit for the Olympics and would think about the WHS later.”

The PHF President Qasim Zia added that the federation would allow the players to participate if FIH approved it.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2011.