March 29, 2006	Wednesday	Safar 28, 1427

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LAHORE, March 28: Tariq Aziz’s future in hockey seems to be under cloud as he has not been called to the training camp being held in Islamabad from April 1 for the World Cup qualifying round to be held in China from April 12. The PHF has taken the decision about Tariq in view of his involvement in two incidents of indiscipline during the Commonwealth Games.

PHF secretary Mussarat Ullah Khan, confirmed to Dawn that Tariq would not be in the list of probables to be announced shortly for the camp and claimed that the decision was taken on the recommendation of the team manager Saeed Khan.

He said Tariq’s case could be referred to the PHF disciplinary committee, but a final decision would be taken after discussing the issue with the coach and manager after reviewing a video cassette of the incident.

Asked if he was expecting any punitive action against Tariq from the FIH, the secretary pointed out that everything depended on how the tournament director would report the incidents.

He was non-committal when asked if the PHF would defend Tariq’s case in the FIH as it did with Mohammad Saqlain.

In the first incident, Tariq was suspended for two matches against Malaysia and Trinidad after he raised his stick in a pool match against South Africa. But he was again involved in a similar incident against Australia.

Tariq was given marching orders in the second half as he raised his stick in an off-play incident which flattened Australian midfielder Rob Hammond, forcing him to leave the ground, bleeding from his upper lip.

Saqlain had also been involved in a similar incident in a four-nation match against Australia in Germany last year, hitting Craig Victory.

The FIH imposed three match suspension on Saqlain but the PHF moved the IOC arbitrary commission which later suspended the punishment, temporarily, allowing Saqlain to continue his career till a final decision.