POA asks PHF to prepare comprehensive case at junior hockey team’s snub

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Tuesday asked Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to prepare a
comprehensive case about the expulsion of Pakistan team from the Junior Hockey World Cup and submit it to the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

“I urge the PHF to prepare a comprehensive case and submit it to the world hockey governing body, asking it as why Pakistan team has been deprived of the event,” Secretary General POA M. Khalid Mehmood told the Agency.

Pakistan junior hockey team lost its berth for the mega event, starting in Lucknow, India from Thursday. The FIH announced that the former champions failed to confirm their participation before the deadline and hence Malaysians are participating at their place.

The PHF; however claims that it had fulfilled all the relevant documentation in time but the players were not issued visas by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

Khalid said the POA was disappointed at the team’s exclusion from the mega event and wanted to take up the issue at all forums, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“We know our players have been working really hard for the event. They must be disappointed for missing out the coveted event in such a way. It is a great setback for them.

“We are ready to become their voice and plead their case. But we want to move according to the rules and norms. The first forum to take up the issue is FIH. Hence, we urge the PHF to strongly take up the issue there. If they are not heard by the FIH properly, then we’ll take the case to the IOC.”

He said the POA would place Pakistan junior team’s expulsion from the World Cup on the agenda of its upcoming General Council Meeting. “Our General Council will meet in January and we will also take up this issue,” he added.