Former Pakistan hockey coach slams India's demand for apology
Former hockey coach says India has a habit of blaming Pakistan even if a rat dies in their country
PHOTO: AFP
Former hockey head coach Shahnaz Sheikh on Monday said that Pakistan does not need to reply to India's demand of an apology for the Champions Trophy incident, instead they should wait to take them on in the field.
Hockey India president Narendra Batra issued a statement on Monday saying: “ I would love to have Pakistan players but not with the kind of behaviour they displayed in the Champions Trophy. And they have shown no regret of that incident in writing or otherwise. I don't want to politicise the issue but that kind of behaviour was unacceptable. Least we need an apology from them," Batra said, as quoted by Press Trust of India.
While talking to Express News on Batra’s statement, Shahnaz said: “I met Indian players in Belgium and they were optimistic that Pakistani players will be invited to the Indian Hockey League this year. They think that Pakistani players bring with themselves quality and it is good for commercial aspects too.”
He added that he knew Batra personally and someone else was placing words in his mouth.
“I am disappointed by the statement of Batra,” said Shahnaz.
“Batra is a nice man. I don’t know who is dictating him to say such things. Pakistan and India can only solve the problems of hockey if they play a bilateral series.”
Shahnaz said that the quality of hockey in the sub-continent is dependent upon Pakistan-India bilateral series.
“Pakistan and India need to play bilateral series to improve the quality of hockey in the sub-continent.”
“Indian hockey was not able to digest the loss against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. So they are twisting that case further. FIH took action on the matter then and there and Pakistani players were barred from the next match, the final, which we lost."
He proposed the idea that Pakistan should start its own hockey league and invite Indian players.
“I would suggest that Pakistan Hockey Federation should start its own league and invite Indian players to participate in the tournament. This would send a message that we are not like them.”
When asked how Pakistan should reply to India on this matter, Shahnaz said: “Pakistan will reply India in the ground now. And we did reply them in India when we beat them at home. And what are the Indians complaining about? FIH punished our players for their mistake but Indian spectators pointed fingers and chanted abuses at me and my players, what about that?
Hockey India president Narendra Batra issued a statement on Monday saying: “ I would love to have Pakistan players but not with the kind of behaviour they displayed in the Champions Trophy. And they have shown no regret of that incident in writing or otherwise. I don't want to politicise the issue but that kind of behaviour was unacceptable. Least we need an apology from them," Batra said, as quoted by Press Trust of India.
While talking to Express News on Batra’s statement, Shahnaz said: “I met Indian players in Belgium and they were optimistic that Pakistani players will be invited to the Indian Hockey League this year. They think that Pakistani players bring with themselves quality and it is good for commercial aspects too.”
He added that he knew Batra personally and someone else was placing words in his mouth.
“I am disappointed by the statement of Batra,” said Shahnaz.
“Batra is a nice man. I don’t know who is dictating him to say such things. Pakistan and India can only solve the problems of hockey if they play a bilateral series.”
Shahnaz said that the quality of hockey in the sub-continent is dependent upon Pakistan-India bilateral series.
“Pakistan and India need to play bilateral series to improve the quality of hockey in the sub-continent.”
“Indian hockey was not able to digest the loss against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. So they are twisting that case further. FIH took action on the matter then and there and Pakistani players were barred from the next match, the final, which we lost."
He proposed the idea that Pakistan should start its own hockey league and invite Indian players.
“I would suggest that Pakistan Hockey Federation should start its own league and invite Indian players to participate in the tournament. This would send a message that we are not like them.”
When asked how Pakistan should reply to India on this matter, Shahnaz said: “Pakistan will reply India in the ground now. And we did reply them in India when we beat them at home. And what are the Indians complaining about? FIH punished our players for their mistake but Indian spectators pointed fingers and chanted abuses at me and my players, what about that?