‘PHF must ensure Asian Games participation’

Olympian Islah fears Pakistan in danger of missing event due to late response .

KARACHI: Expressing concern over the uncertainty of Pakistan’s participation at the Asian Games next year, Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui has urged the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to ensure the national team’s inclusion in the event.

According to the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), the PHF had failed to respond to repeated reminders seeking confirmation of the team’s participation for the event in South Korea.

Earlier, a similar stand-off had cost the greenshirts their participation at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“The PHF must abstain from politics and think about the welfare of hockey,” Islah told The Express Tribune. “Pakistan will be the defending champions in the Asian Games; they must feature in the competition. It is the federation’s failure that our participation is in jeopardy.”

The former captain added that apart from unavoidable tournaments, the team should avoid ‘unnecessary competitions’ like Super Series Hockey 9s or the Asian Champions Trophy.

“Such tours may serve as joyrides but it is not in the interest of the team.”

Pakistan to meet Oman in opener

The greenshirts will take on Oman in their opening match of the Asian Champions Trophy today in Kakamigahara, Japan where they will be defending the title that they won last year in Doha.

The six-team event also includes China, Malaysia and India besides the hosts.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2013.

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