Indian hockey league: PHF imposes 5-year ban on players

Executive board meeting bans players and officials who participated in controversial World Hockey Series.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Monday imposed a ban of five years on players and officials who participated in the World Hockey Series (WHS) played in India earlier this month, reported Express News.

The federation, during an executive board meeting at the National Hockey Stadium Lahore, said that the players and officials who participated in the league in any way will be banned as they were earlier warned against playing in the controversial league.

Nine players from Pakistan signed contracts with the WHS and former captain Rehan Butt was named captain of one of the eight franchises.

The meeting was headed by PHF President Qasim Zia where a change in the Constitution was also approved. Referring to the allegations of misconduct made by former Olympians, Zia said that no criticism against hockey would be tolerated by the federation.

The national hockey team earlier faced sharp criticism from former Olympics champions after losing against Great Britain in the Champions Trophy opener. Pakistan lost to Great Britain 2-1 despite having taken the lead in the match. Olympians blamed the team for failing to hold on to the lead and called for an improved showing from the Greenshirts.

PHF said that the former Olympians who criticised against the team will be taken to court and will be held answerable to their statements.

During the meeting, prizes were also announced for the best hockey players of the year 2011. Noor Khan Trophy and Rs100,000 were announced for the best player while Brigadier Atif Trophy along with Rs50,000 was announced for the best junior hockey player.