‘Annoyed’ Olympians reconcile with PHF

Former players propose formation of core committee.

KARACHI: After a prolonged fight, the Olympians, who had conveyed their discontent towards the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), finally reconciled with the game’s governing body, following a meeting with the reconciliation committee.      

This took place after the committee, comprising Olympians Zafar Ali Khan, Khwaja Zakauddin and Iftikhar Syed – formed by the PHF to hold talks with the ‘annoyed’ former stars – assured them that heed would be paid to their suggestions on promoting hockey in Pakistan.

Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh, who was the bitter PHF critic, confirmed that his group came on board with the federation in the best interest of the national game.

‘Olympians propose formation of core committee’   

Sheikh, while speaking to The Express Tribune, said the formation of a core committee was proposed to the reconciliation group during their meeting in Karachi this week.

“We proposed the formation of a committee comprising PHF officials, technocrats of the sport [former players] and experts from corporate sectors.



“That committee must have the power to take key decisions for the betterment of the game. The inclusion of a representative from a corporate sector has been proposed so that the PHF can generate its own revenue since hockey still has a potential market.

“This proposal will now be forwarded to the PHF by the reconciliation committee.”

He further stated that almost all of the Olympians were on board with the idea, and had shown their readiness towards supporting PHF President Akhtar Rasool.

“We were against the previous federation which was headed by Qasim Zia (president) and Asif Bajwa (secretary) because they were incompetent. However, we have trust in Rasool as he is a reliable offical.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2014.