In protest: Hockey umpire announces retirement

Pervaiz Akhtar quits out of frustration as the government continues to ignore the sport.

FAISALABAD: International hockey umpire Pervaiz Akhtar announced his retirement on Monday to protest against the  government’s ‘step-motherly’ treatment of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

The hockey training camp in Islamabad was forced to close down due to the paucity of funds and nonpayment of even daily allowances to players in the camp and Akhtar believes the authorities have let the sport down.

“It signals the end of government patronage to Pakistan hockey, which had helped the team earn international fame and repute,” he said.

He added that the camp was organised to select a national team for the 2016 Rio Olympics qualifying round in Belgium which is
scheduled to commence from June 6.

“PHF President Akhtar Rasool and general-secretary Rana Mujahid Ali have been strenuously struggling to uplift the sport in the country and at a global level, but due to the non-cooperation and patronage of Pakistan hockey by the government, the sport has been facing plenty of problems,” he added. “This state of affairs has even prompted the Indian Hockey Federation to offer Pakistan hockey a sizable grant, which is a slap in our faces.”

The umpire also lauded the statements of Olympians Rasool and Mujhaid for flatly refusing to accept any assistance from their neighbours and fierce rivals.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th,  2015.

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