PHF must contact FIH first, says POA secretary

KARACHI: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has not responded to Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) communiqué on the country’s expulsion from the Junior World Cup being held in India.

The PHF stated that hockey is an Olympic game and the FIH is an associate member of the IOC, so the POA should help the PHF through the IOC.

The PHF wants to prevent the Indian federation from using its financial muscle to create hurdles for Pakistan in major hockey events.

The 2018 Hockey World Cup will also be held in India.

POA secretary Khalid Mehmood informed ‘The News’ that the POA had informed the PHF high-ups that it was a case between the PHF and the FIH, the supreme body of world hockey. “The PHF should first ask why the FIH has expelled Pakistan. We will be in a position to approach the IOC only after the PHF gets the FIH response,” he said.

The POA secretary said that he had stated this to PHF high-ups orally. “There was no need to write an answer to the PHF. They know what they have to do,” said Khalid.

“Such international issues are delicate and have to be handled very carefully,” he said.

Khalid said that the POA’s general council meeting would be held on January 29. “Our members will discuss thoroughly the expulsion of Pakistan team from Junior World Cup. And general council members will decide what could be done to help the PHF,” he said.

“But the PHF should complete its paper work and meet all legal requirements before going to any international forum. The POA will stand by it,” he promised.

Khalid said that from December 20 to January 5, all international sports bodies would be on leave due to Christmas and New Year celebrations. “Nothing can be done right now,” he said.

An Indian has been elected as FIH president and he is openly helping the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) to stop Pakistan’s way to rejoin the big events as progress, a source said.

The Indian High Commission has still not released visas to Pakistan junior team which had qualified for the World Cup.

A number of former Olympians and sports officials of several disciplines have said Pakistan must adopt a well thought out strategy to counter India’s moves.

Pakistan has suffered a lot in various international sports competitions, including cricket, hockey, kabaddi, and table tennis, due to India’s conspiracies.

The sources said that sports federations wanted the government to move against India’s efforts.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has already raised voice at the International Cricket Council (ICC) against India as they have not been playing bilateral series despite commitments due to which Pakistan board has suffered huge financial losses.  This time the IHF has done what the BCCI has been doing for several years.