March 23, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 14, 1429

KARACHI, March 22: Pakistan hockey chief selector Islahuddin Siddiqui faced an embarrassing situation on Friday when a KESC team player used abusive language against him after he was not allowed to represent his side at a veterans tournament.

Centre-half Salman Sheikh accused Islah of being biased after he was not allowed to compete despite producing original passport and photo copy of his national identity card to prove his age.

The player got infuriated when Islah asked one of his aides to check the documents and then decided not to allow him in the tournament which ends on Sunday at the Hockey Club of Pakistan.

Salman used foul language while team-mates Mohammad Farooq, Tasleem Osmani and PIA’s former international Mumtaz Haider also protested against Islah’s decision which they believed was not fair.

“We presented Salman’s original passport and the copy of his NIC but even then Islah didn’t allow him to play and asked for original NIC. Salman should have got the chance in the veterans tournament since his documents proved that he is over 40 years of age,” Farooq said.

Islah, a former Pakistan captain who has regularly complained of the shrinking base of younger players, has been organising several veterans tournaments over the years. He was, however, not available for comment on the incident.