Sports

Hockey players yet to get Indian visas

Pakistanis forced to miss flight ahead of Hockey India League.

Our Correspondent January 09, 2013

some members of pakistan 039 s squad were due to play in the indian hockey league photo afp file

Some members of Pakistan's squad were due to play in the Indian hockey league. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

KARACHI: Nine Pakistan hockey players contracted for the inaugural Hockey India League have not been given Indian visas and were forced to miss their flight yesterday.

Shafqat Rasool, Mohammad Irfan Senior and Rashid Mehmood besides Mohammad Tauseeq, Kashif Shah, Fareed Ahmed and Imran Butt were among those who were unable to board the plane bound for New Delhi.

“I am contacting the organisers and waiting for their reply,” Rasool told The Express Tribune. “It was just after they confirmed that the visa has been granted that I booked my flight. Now I have to wait until Saturday to get my passport.”

Meanwhile, Mohammad Irfan – who will feature for Ranchi Rhinos – expressed discontent on the delay.

“Such an attitude is embarrassing,” said Irfan. “Now we are unsure if our visas have arrived or not because we have yet to see our passports. I’m unable to get a straight answer from the relevant people.”