December 5, 2003	Friday	Shawwal 10, 1424

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KARACHI, Dec 4: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) made a mockery of rules when it asked the Sindh Hockey Association (SHA) to reinstate its former president, although his resignation has already been accepted.

“Zafar Iqbal will continue to act as the president of the SHA after being asked by the PHF president Gen Aziz Khan to carry on,” SHA secretary Ramzan Jamali said on Thursday.

Likewise, Jamali said, the PHF had decided against accepting Zafar’s resignation from the post of vice-president.

Zafar had quit as president of the Karachi East Zone, SHA and as vice-president of the PHF simultaneously few month backs, citing “personal reasons and commitments” as the reason.

SHA council that met on Sept 28 in Khairpur had accepted Zafar’s resignation.

Ramzan had no answer when asked how could SHA president who had personal commitments find time to run the hockey affairs in the province.

The decision by the PHF to ask Zafar to take SHA office again is debatable as his resignation was accepted by the SHA council and there is no provision in PHF constitution which allows the president to interfere in such matters.

“PHF could advise us to change the decision as the PHF chief has powers to do so,” Ramzan said.

Things were not different with Zafar who avoided to offer comments when contacted after the new development and termed it his “personal matter”.

“This is my personal matter. I do not want to say anything on this issue,” said Zafar when asked to comment why he opted to change his decision despite “personal commitments”.

Jawaid Quddusi, a former SHA secretary challenged the scenario when he said PHF president or any official could not meddle into association’s decision made by its house since there was no such provision in the constitution.

“What is happening is totally wrong. Nobody can reinstate any official whose resignation has been accepted by any provincial association’s council. Zafar’s resignation was accepted by the SHA council and that was final,” Jawaid said.

Zafar has been active in sponsoring veteran hockey teams for tours abroad. Sindh hardly saw any hockey activity, especially at youth level during Zafar’s tenure.