PHF gets Olympians’ backing till Asian Games

National Assembly committee successfully brings Pakistan Hockey Federation and former Olympians together.

KARACHI: The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Sports has successfully brought the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) officials and former Olympians together to gear up the team for the Asian Games in China next month.

The NA body on sports called on the PHF officials and former Olympians, who are against the federation’s policies, to sort out differences among them in order to create a cordial atmosphere ahead of the tough assignment.

“It was overall a positive meeting. Both the parties gave their versions. The differences have been resolved to a great extent as Olympians assured their support to the federation and gave assurances of not giving any statements against the PHF till the Asian Games,” chairman NA Sports body Iqbal Mohammad Ali told The Express Tribune.

The federation came under intense criticism from the former Olympians after the team finished with a poor performance in sixth position in the Commonwealth Games in India.  PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa, during the meeting, lamented the criticism and said he was even abused by the former Olympians, a claim that was refuted by the Olympians immediately.

“We never abused anybody, however, when our team loses against sides like South Africa, it becomes our right to criticise the federation’s policies,” Samiullah told The Express Tribune.

The former Olympian, also known as the “Flying Horse”, said the federation has all the support of the former Olympians till the Asian Games.  “We want the team to win in the Asian Games and we’ll receive the team if it comes triumphant but if the performance will be a repeat of their Commonwealth Games show, then the PHF officials should offer to step down themselves,” said Samiullah

Meanwhile, the PHF secretary also apprised the NA body of the team’s progress and build-up for the Asian Games. He said that although Dutch coach Michel van den Heuvel is contracted till the 2012 London Games, he might be removed before that if he fails to achieve the desired results.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2010.