Ban clouds hovering over Pakistan hockey

ISLAMABAD: The clouds of possible international ban or penalty are still hovering over Pakistan hockey as International Hockey Federation (FIH) has referred the matter to its Disciplinary Commission for further deliberations.

Brig (rtd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, president Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) confirmed receiving a detail questionnaire regarding Pakistan’s non-compliance of commitment to figure in the Pro League.

Pakistan withdrew from its commitment to participate in the League days ahead of the start of the event on the pretext of financial constraints. The decision came hard on the FIH Pro League schedule. The international body had to make numerous adjustments in the process. The FIH Executive Board that met in Lausanne (Switzerland) the other day has decided to refer the matter to disciplinary commission.

“Yes, the matter with the disciplinary commission now. We are making all out efforts to avoid ban or any penalty as we believe the matter was out of our hands,” Brig (rtd) Khokhar told The News from Scotland on telephone. The PHF president also confirmed that the PHF has received a detail letter from the FIH. “We have received a letter from the FIH regarding our view point on our inability to play the first phase of the league.”

Brig (rtd) Khokhar said that in a few days time, the FIH would be getting answers of all the queries. “We are in process of finalizing the details and in a few days time possibly by March 22 they would receive Pakistan point of view on the matter.” The News has learnt FIH has referred the matter to Disciplinary Commission despite the opposition of one of the members Shahbaz Ahmad.

Though the PHF is making efforts to avid the possible ban or penalty for non-compliance of the commitment, there are good chances the Commission would suggest some penalty on Pakistan.

Meanwhile, during the FIH Board meeting IOC President Thomas Bach was awarded President FIH award.

IOC President could not make the journey to India due to other commitments where the award was announced. He therefore took the opportunity of the first meeting of the year of the FIH Executive Board in Lausanne to come to the FIH headquarters where the Award was officially presented to him. Thomas Bach stated: “I would like to thank FIH for bestowing this Award on me, which I of course share with the entire IOC family. FIH has undertaken remarkable efforts for the good of hockey, in order to make the sport more global and more attractive. The FIH Pro League is one example of that and after only a couple of weeks, it’s already a success. Sport plays a fundamental role in society”.