LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Zeeshan Ashraf has lashed out at the policies of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the way it has been treating senior players.
Ashraf was critical of the PHF’s policy of not considering players over 30 for the National Hockey Championship starting next month. The 34-year-old believed that the implementation of the rule, which does not apply to over-age players who are part of the national squad, would be disastrous.
“The PHF should rename the event and call it the under-30 hockey tournament since the senior players aren’t allowed to be a part of it,” said Ashraf. “If youngsters can’t play with seniors, how will they learn?”
Ashraf also voiced his concern over the non-implementation of the prime minister’s orders in which he had announced jobs for players.
“The prime minister had ordered thrice last year that players be given jobs but nothing has been done by the PHF. Only a financially secure player can perform at his best.”
PHF rejects Ashraf’s views
Meanwhile, the PHF stood firm on its decision of not considering players over 30 in the national championship.
“This decision was taken by the executive board and wasn’t a whim of the president or the secretary,” a PHF official told The Express Tribune, rejecting Ashraf’s accusations. “We’ve provided players with central contracts, which is unprecedented. As for the prime minister’s orders, they were forwarded to other government departments and not to us.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2012.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ