‘Hockey India League not as good as WSH’
Senior Pakistan player advises compatriots to opt for ‘unofficial’ league.
KARACHI:
A seasoned Pakistan campaigner described the rebel World Series Hockey (WSH) as a better option for players of his country than the Hockey India (HI) League which is planned to take off from January 2013.
The HI League will enjoy the affiliation of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), unlike the unauthorised WSH, the participants of which had to lock horns with their respective federations for taking part in the competition. The HI League will comprise six teams with each franchise comprising a pool of 24 players including 10 overseas players.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is fully supporting the HI and sent names of 14 Pakistan players, including penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas. However, the world’s leading scorer denied signing the contract yet, saying he was considering the offer. But reacting on the development, a senior Pakistan player, who featured in the inaugural edition of the WSH earlier this year, said the HI league was ‘just designed to favour Indians’.
“It’s not suitable for foreign players,” a player told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity. “The event is designed for improvement of Indian players who will also earn more than the others. The players earned Rs5-10 million from the WSH, while the HI league is offering cheaper contracts to foreign players. It’s just because of cordial relations that the PHF has agreed to send the names otherwise the event will not help our players in anyway.
“This may be the reason why Abbas has still not signed the contract. I’ll advise Pakistan players to feature in the WSH because that’s giving a financial boost.”
HI league to benefit foreign players as well: Batra
Meanwhile, HI Secretary General and league’s chairman Narinder Batra, in an interview with The Express Tribune, termed the remarks premature.
“No one can judge the HI league’s worth at the moment,” said Batra. “Let it start first. It’s equally beneficial for foreign and local players alike. As far as financial gain is concerned, it depends on the auctions next month.”
Batra alleged that those favouring the WSH must also know that the league is yet to clear many dues.
“The best player of the tournament is yet to receive his reward from the WSH.”
While commenting on Abbas’ delay in signing the contract, Batra said the HI released the names of Pakistan players after getting a confirmation from the PHF.
“We announced the names after getting the signed documents from the PHF. We also received another name which raises the number of Pakistan players to 15.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2012.
A seasoned Pakistan campaigner described the rebel World Series Hockey (WSH) as a better option for players of his country than the Hockey India (HI) League which is planned to take off from January 2013.
The HI League will enjoy the affiliation of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), unlike the unauthorised WSH, the participants of which had to lock horns with their respective federations for taking part in the competition. The HI League will comprise six teams with each franchise comprising a pool of 24 players including 10 overseas players.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is fully supporting the HI and sent names of 14 Pakistan players, including penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas. However, the world’s leading scorer denied signing the contract yet, saying he was considering the offer. But reacting on the development, a senior Pakistan player, who featured in the inaugural edition of the WSH earlier this year, said the HI league was ‘just designed to favour Indians’.
“It’s not suitable for foreign players,” a player told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity. “The event is designed for improvement of Indian players who will also earn more than the others. The players earned Rs5-10 million from the WSH, while the HI league is offering cheaper contracts to foreign players. It’s just because of cordial relations that the PHF has agreed to send the names otherwise the event will not help our players in anyway.
“This may be the reason why Abbas has still not signed the contract. I’ll advise Pakistan players to feature in the WSH because that’s giving a financial boost.”
HI league to benefit foreign players as well: Batra
Meanwhile, HI Secretary General and league’s chairman Narinder Batra, in an interview with The Express Tribune, termed the remarks premature.
“No one can judge the HI league’s worth at the moment,” said Batra. “Let it start first. It’s equally beneficial for foreign and local players alike. As far as financial gain is concerned, it depends on the auctions next month.”
Batra alleged that those favouring the WSH must also know that the league is yet to clear many dues.
“The best player of the tournament is yet to receive his reward from the WSH.”
While commenting on Abbas’ delay in signing the contract, Batra said the HI released the names of Pakistan players after getting a confirmation from the PHF.
“We announced the names after getting the signed documents from the PHF. We also received another name which raises the number of Pakistan players to 15.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2012.