Hockey India League: Pakistani players’ participation in doubt after protests

Around 100 Shiv Sena workers protest outside hockey stadium, call for Pakistani players' visas to be cancelled.

MUMBAI: The Hockey India League (HIL) faces the prospect of being forced out of Mumbai after heightened tensions along the Line of Control led to protests against Pakistani players competing in the Indian Premier League-style event on Sunday.

Around 100 workers of the hard-line Shiv Sena party protested at a stadium where the Mumbai Magicians team, who have four Pakistani national team players in their squad – Muhammad Tousiq, Mahmood Rashid, Fareed Ahmed, Imran Butt – were practicing.

Shiv Sena called for the players’ visas to be cancelled. “We will not allow Pakistani players or artists to perform here,” Rahul Narvekar, a party spokesperson told Reuters.

The Mumbai police said they had beefed up security at the practice venue after they became aware of the protests. “No players are there in Mumbai currently. We will hold discussions with the HIL and understand their plans and make arrangements accordingly,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-I) Ravindra Shishve said by phone. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2013.