Hockey: No plans to retire says Rehan Butt

Discarded striker remains hopeful of a comeback despite squad and contract snub.

KARACHI:

Despite being given a clear-cut signal by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), former captain Rehan Butt has no intentions to retire and hoped to make a comeback for the Champions Trophy in December and next year’s London Olympics.

Butt was excluded from the Asian Champions Trophy squad along with penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas and experienced goal-keeper Salman Akbar as the PHF overhauled the hockey team following the Europe tour earlier this year. While Akbar and Abbas were recalled for the upcoming tour of Australia, where the Greenshirts play back-to-back tournaments, Butt was overlooked once again as the PHF announced the list of probables.

The selection committee also said that the same players will be considered for the Champions Trophy and the Olympics, bringing to an end Butt’s hopes of featuring in the mega events.

The PHF, unsatisfied with Butt’s fitness and form, also ignored him from a 24-man list for ‘incentive contracts’, which featured Abbas and another senior player Waseem Ahmed.

According to a PHF official, the federation has stopped counting on Butt, who seems to have become a victim of the rebuilding stage where youngsters are being preferred. However, the 31-year old striker, who was part of the Asian Games team that clinched the gold medal, has no plans to step down.

“I’m a 100 per cent fit,” Butt told The Express Tribune. “I’ve no intentions to retire because I can go on for at least two to three years. I believe that the PHF is wrong about me. If Abbas and Ahmed can play for Pakistan, I become an automatic choice because I’m fitter than these two.”

The striker remained hopeful of playing in the team again.

“Changes can still be made depending on the team’s performance in Australia. In the meantime, I will continue to train to keep myself fit. I’ll prove my worth by featuring in domestic tournaments.”

The former captain was also looking for an opportunity to play in foreign leagues. “I’ll continue to play even if I’m not selected for Pakistan.

“I’m looking to play in foreign leagues and ready to play anywhere,” he said hinting an interest in a planned league in India.

Rehan still the best striker: Samiullah

Meanwhile, former captain Samiullah Khan questioned the PHF’s decision to snub Butt.

“He’s still the best striker,” said the Olympian. “Ruling him out of mega tournaments is inappropriate at this stage because we’re yet to get his replacement on the right wing.

“If there’s a disciplinary issue against the player, then it’s fine but in that case the federation should make it public.

“If he’s been sidelined purely on the grounds of poor form then the federation is making a mistake.”

Olympian Samiullah Khan

“Ruling him out of mega tournaments is inappropriate at this stage because we’re yet to get his replacement. It’s fine if there’s a disciplinary issue, but then the federation should disclose it”

Chief selector Hanif Khan

“Rehan’s performance is not what it used to be and the forward line is doing well without him. So can we please be happy that we have younger players able to replace him?”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2011.