Olympians demand ad-hoc setup for PHF

Former greats insist on removal of current hockey officials.

KARACHI: Intensifying their campaign for the removal of the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) current set-up, former Olympians have demanded to impose an ad-hoc setup on the body by removing its officials.

The Olympians, who were speaking at a press conference at Karachi Press Club yesterday, also sought time from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for a meeting to seek solutions for the deteriorating state of the country’s hockey.

Four-time champions Pakistan failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup – the first instance in the history of the sport – after failing to perform at the Hockey World League and the recently-concluded Asia Cup.

“It has been proved that this PHF is not capable of delivering,” said Shahnaz Sheikh. “The ad-hoc setup must be imposed to rescue our national game from further decline. We will accept any set-up the prime minister chooses.

“We don’t have any personal issues with the current PHF officials but we feel it’s our responsibility to work for the betterment of hockey as the current situation is painful. Everybody will have to work by keeping their personal interests aside.”

Another hockey legend Islahuddin Siddiqui requested the prime minister to give theOlympiansa hearing. “We know he is a busy man but we request him to take out some time for hockey,” he said.

On the impression given by PHF officials that they cannot be removed before their tenure expires, Siddiqui said: “They must not forget how they took over.”

The ex-players also expressed the resolve for a protest outside National Assembly if their demands were not heeded.

PHF’s executive board to meet today

Meanwhile, the PHF’s executive board will meet today in Lahore to discuss the fate of the national team members and officials.

According to an official close to the board, the future of Akhtar Rasool, who is serving as the manager and head coach of the national team, will be one of the main agendas in the meeting that will be headed by PHF president Qasim Zia.

The board will also discuss future strategies to bring improvement in the team. Individual performances will also be scrutinised while the exclusion of senior players remains a possibility.

The discussion of the next PHF’s election is also one of the main agendas of the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2013.

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