I RECEIVED a few phone calls and a couple of emails after the publication of my column last week in which I had shared with the readers some of the changes that are under the consideration of the Hockey Rules Board of the International Hockey Federation of which I am one of the members. While I thought I had made myself clear, some of the readers were a bit confused as to whether the changes were going to be implemented soon or were simply being considered at this stage.

I guess the major reason of confusion among the readers with the slightly vague news report that appeared in another newspaper that quoted me as the source but could not properly word what I had said during the chat. Regardless of the reason behind the confusion, for the benefit of those who found it too complicated, I repeat here that with the exception of the goalkeeping options that would take effect from January 1, 2007, all other points that were part of the last column are going through the phase of active consideration.

The FIH has an extensive consultation process in place which involves not just past players, officials, coaches, managers and umpires, but also the spectators and the sponsors. These opinions are then compared with the statistical data that the various FIH committees are assigned to collect over extended periods of time. As it is, there is always something or the other under the consideration of one committee or the other, and, naturally, not everything gets materialised. The same applies to the considerations of the HRB.

The suggestions related to ‘Own Goals’ and proposed regulations covering defensive tactics during penalty corners, I repeat, are simply being considered and are far away from any final decision. And so is the case with several other things under discussion.

During my stay in London in connection with the proceedings, I met FIH President Els Von Breda and Secretary-General Peter Cohen who, to my surprise, happened to have read a few of these columns and were appreciative of the various issues that are raised in this place.

The President of Pakistan Hockey Federation, Mir Zafarullah Jamali, and Secretary Akhtarul Islam also had a few official meetings with Ms Breda and Cohen which went extremely well. The meetings, though official, had a relaxed agenda and all four of them spent considerable time discussing the Champions Trophy that Pakistan is to host next year, other international tournaments and a host of other issues. The meetings went very well, and the PHF officials were able to convince their FIH counterparts of the improved situation inside Pakistan and the need to bring international hockey in the country once again.

By depriving the local crowds of lively international action, the authorities were actually drying up the game in a country which was till recently one of the key nurseries for the game would help no one, it was stressed. While the PHF does acknowledge the validity of security concerns of the respective national associations and players, it was stressed with due force by the PHF that there was no room for paranoia or misplaced fears. The world is a troubled place and Pakistan is as safe as anywhere else, it was suggested, and it was great that the FIH officials could appreciate the reasoning, and promised to do everything in their command in this regard.

Messers Jamali and Islam, along with Barrister Shahida Jamil, also took part in the FIH Congress session which this year elected several officials. Mr Jamali was a contender for a slot in the FIH Executive Board, but withdrew his candidature at the last minute. As such, Pakistan now has no representation on the Executive Board and the status will continue till the next elections.