Greenshirts’ participation in CWG still possible: Hasan

POA chief says he can push case at organisers’ meeting if PHF shows interest.

KARACHI: Pakistan hockey team’s participation at this year’s Commonwealth Games (CWG) has been almost ruled out, but Pakistan Olympics Association (POA) can still make a last-ditch effort to get the go-ahead for the greenshirts, said POA President Arif Hasan.

On the sidelines of a Sindh Olympic Association meeting in Karachi, the POA asked the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to send an expression of interest so that they could push the case for the team’s participation.

“We can put up the case of hockey’s participation at the CWG meeting in Malaysia on January 24,” the POA chief told The Express Tribune on Monday.

“There is a slim chance but Pakistan’s participation is still possible. However, the PHF will have to send their expression of interest first.”

The team’s participation was jeopardised after the PHF refused to send the entry through the Hasan-led POA and instead went to the parallel POA headed by Akram Sahi with the government’s backing.

However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognises Hasan’s body.

POA sends hockey’s entry for Asian Games

Hasan stated that the POA has included hockey team’s entry with other disciplines after the December 31 deadline for the Asian Games.

“But to confirm participation, the PHF will have to send an expression of interest.”

Like the CWG case, the PHF is still awaiting approval from government to send an expression of interest through Hasan’s body.

Recently, PHF President Akhtar Rasool told The Express Tribune that his federation cannot take decisions without the government’s consent as they need funds.

Pakistan’s fate to be discussed in Sochi

Hasan also revealed that the IOC’s executive committee will meet in February in to take a decision on Pakistan’s membership on the matter of parallel POA bodies.

The IOC has asked the government to make amendments in its national sports policy and the rules of Pakistan Sports Board which are in a clash with the charter of the body.

Pakistan has to incorporate the changes before January 31; failure to adhere may result in a ban on the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2014.

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