I can still play crucial role for Pakistan: Butt

Former hockey captain upset at being ignored for Champions Trophy.

KARACHI:

After failing to make a comeback in the Pakistan national camp for the Champions Trophy, a disappointed former captain Rehan Butt is looking forward to participating in the World Hockey Series (WHS) in India despite the ban placed on the event by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

Butt declared that he was fit and does not understand the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) reason for dropping him from the list of probables for the Champion’s Trophy.

“I don’t buy their excuse that I’m not fit,” Butt told The Express Tribune. “I can still play a crucial role for Pakistan but if the PHF doesn’t need me I can only look towards playing in the WHS.

“I’ll be asking the PHF to allow me to play in India since I’m not part of the squad and neither do I have a central contract. I doubt that I’ll be selected for the Olympics either although I’m always available for the team.”

Olympian Shahnaz Shaikh believes that the PHF’s decision to exclude Butt was incorrect as the team needed an experienced forward.

“Butt is as good as the other seniors who are included in the camp,” he said.

Meanwhile, goal-keeper Akbar has decided to skip his Dutch club’s last match in a bid to attend the national team’s camp for the Champion’s Trophy.

“I’d to negotiate with my club to avail this opportunity,” said Akbar. “It’s my only chance to book a place in the Champions Trophy and Olympics squad.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2011.