ISLAMABAD: In a scathing response to Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) decision to send back 60 member strong Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP) contingent (three teams) from National Under-16 Hockey, KP association blamed PHF for running the game by denying youngsters of the area a chance to showcase their talent at national level. Saeed Khan (chairman KP Hockey and Senior Vice President PHF), Zahir Shah (secretary KP Hockey) in a press conference held in Peshawar Wednesday and later taking to The News appealed Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (who is also PHF Patron) to help KP Hockey get justice. “Following months of efforts that included organizing junior inter-district and later KP junior Hockey trails that was participated by no less than 250 players, we have selected 60 under-16 (three different teams) players for the National Under-16 under way in Khairpur (Sindh). KP Hockey hired special buses to take teams and officials to Sindh where they reached in time and attended manager meeting. All the players went through the scrutiny process. When our teams were preparing for matches, our officials were asked to pack their bags as PHF led by secretary PHF Shahbaz Senior did not want KP teams in the competition. Ramzan Jamali, secretary Sindh Hockey refused to honour KP teams saying he had strict orders from PHF not to allow KP teams compete in the event,” Zahir Shah, said. He claimed during at the press conference and while talking to The News from Peshawar that junior players were deprived from their right to compete in the Championship. “Whatever politics the PHF is playing, players who have a genuine case should be kept out of it. Hockey has been dragged to lowest ever standard. Genuine players and officials are being discouraged. How could these talented KP hockey players would continue to pursue the game as the PHF is not willing to give them their due.” KP secretary said that dummy team that is representing KP is the Championship has nothing to do with province. “The team is a mixture of players selected from other province.” Zahir Shah who was also accompanied by players and their parents said that they were planning to stage protest, they would also knock every door including that of federal government to get justice.Later Zahir Shah blamed PHF for withdrawing Rs 240 million cash from the PHF kitty. “I have got all the details of cash withdrawal which is a serious offense according to PHF constitution. No one is allowed to withdraw cash. The payment according to constitution can only be withdrawn through cross cheques. When the payment is more that Rs half a million, president PHF signatures are must. I have got the details where PHF president signatures are missing.” Zahir Shah said that on March 1, 2017 a cheque (00000501) of Rs 1.5 million was enchased from the PHF accounts and were submitted in Askri Bank account. Whose account is this? He gave details of almost 20 cheques with proof which he said were withdrawn with a single signature and were cashed against the laid down PHF rules. KP Hockey association secretary challenged PHF on the facts available with him. “I have got all the details of PHF accounts. If I am wrong and there is any other story to what I have said the PHF has got all the right to take me to the court of law. In fact the case is already under proceedings in the Peshawar High Court where the PHF has yet to furnish details and are adopting delaying tactics.”
