LAHORE, Sept 16: Lack of responsibility by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) delayed the departure of full-back Ali Raza who could not proceed to Malaysia with the Pakistan contingent which left on Tuesday to take part in the Asia Cup to be held there from Sept 21-28.

According to information Ali had been asking PHF to return his passport ever since returning from Holland after the Champions Trophy so that he could apply for a fresh booklet as his passport had no pages left for visas to be endorsed.

However, PHF assured Ali that there was one page left in his passport and applied for the visa.

Subsequently Ali’s passport was returned by the Malaysian Embassy without valid visa as it did not have a page left.

The full-back received a new passport on Tuesday and now after getting his visa will travel to Malaysia for which a date has not been set.