December 06, 2007	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 25, 1428

LAHORE, Dec 5: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Women’s Wing on Wednesday refused to allow Rabia Qadir to represent Wapda in the national women’s championship, although federation’s president Zafarullah Jamali had cleared her of misconduct charges following an inquiry.

Mansoor Bhutta, a Wapda team official, said they didn’t field Rabia in the match against Police on the advice of the PHF Women’s Wing secretary Parveen Gill who had disallowed Rabia from playing.

The player was involved in an act of indiscipline while representing Pakistan in a tournament in Singapore last year.

Asked why the case of indiscipline could not be decided as yet, Parveen informed that the wing had advised Wapda to take action but the department was yet to settle the matter.

“I will again suggest Wapda to settle the issue itself by holding an inquiry. Otherwise the Women’s Wing will be left with no other option but to hold its own inquiry after the national championship in order to be able to close the matter once and for all,” she said.

Interestingly, Rabia has already played the first match in the championship, scoring four goals. Besides, she has also represented her department in the last national games held in Karachi this year.

Sources said that Rabia appeared before Jamali to clear her position, while also offering an apology, after the wing’s referring the case to Wapda. The PHF president held an inquiry later, allowing her to continue playing. A letter clearing the player was also issued earlier this year by the then secretary Akhtarul Islam.

Sources further said that Barrister Shahida Jamil, president of the Women’s Wing also protested at a meeting over Jamali’s decision. However, Jamali overruled her objection, saying the matter had been closed.