After failing to enter the team’s names for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Pakistan are in danger of missing the Asian Games. PHOTO: FILE EXPRESS
KARACHI: Participation of Pakistan’s national hockey team in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games is still in doubt as the Arif Hasan-led Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has not yet received the documentations required for participation as the deadline comes to an end on Wednesday.
Although the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is focused on building its team for the mega event, it has yet to contact the International Olympic Committee-recognised POA to ensure participation.
When contacted by The Express Tribune, Hasan said his organisation received a letter by the PHF on Tuesday evening, which mentioned only the names of 25 players.
He further said that the accreditation system will be closed on April 30, after which they will not be allowed to participate in the Asian Games.
“We cannot process any further with just the names,” said Arif. “We immediately sent a reply to the PHF, explaining that we need passports and two high-resolution pictures of each of the players. I hope they comply soon as we don’t want our hockey team to miss a chance to defend their title in the Asian Games.
“We don’t have much time. The information in the documents needs to be cross-checked and that isn’t something we can rush through.”
Earlier, the PHF was not able to enter its team in the 2014 Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow due to the same stalemate.
When contacted, PHF’s Secretary General Rana Mujahid said that that they have done the needful and have sent the passports and requisite to the government for further processing.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2014.
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