May 11, 2003	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 8, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

LAHORE, May 10: Pakistan hockey captain Mohammad Nadeem, who went abroad to play without the consent of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), returns on Sunday to join ongoing training camp.

Although the striker will be back home, his fate hangs in the balance as PHF will investigate the matter before taking a final decision. “Nadeem is coming back on Sunday and his case will be dealt accordingly,” PHF secretary Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan confirmed on Saturday.

Apart from Nadeem, full-back Sohail Abbas and left-half Waseem Ahmad are also playing in Germany. They left two days before the training camp for the two tournaments in Australia from May 29 to June 8.

Aamir Saleem is also playing in league in England. The four players had gone to play abroad without the permission of the PHF.

The secretary said he had asked the camp management to send Nadeem to the federation whenever he reported and added action would be suggested after hearing the case.

He admitted it was a case of indiscipline but punishment would be taken against the players after the process.

The secretary said he had no information regarding Sohail and Waseem and whether they were coming back.

He said players showed lack of responsibility despite PHF was giving maximum benefits to them. Giving example of Sohail, the secretary said that the player had been honoured by the Prime Minister, PHF and his department Wapda for his performance in the Azlan Shah Cup.

President of Pakistan has also invited the national team which won the Azlan Shah Cup to Islamabad on May 16 and cash prizes are likely to be announced for the players.

The secretary did not agree PHF was considering to field Pakistan ‘A’ team in the two forthcoming tournaments because of non-availability of three keys players.

“It is a national training camp, therefore, it will not a wise step to select an ‘A’ team,” he added.

Besides, Pakistan and India, hosts Australia will field its two teams in the three-nation contest.