LAHORE: Former Olympian Samiullah Khan has said he and his companions still believe that Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) elections as a result of which the incumbent PHF set-up came into existence are illegal and unconstitutional and thus he won’t join the PHF.

While talking to Dawn, Samiullah also known as ‘flying horse’ in the hockey world, said that he congratulates Shahnaz Sheikh, Islahuddin Siddiqui, Shahbaz Senior and others on joining the PHF set-up but quickly added: “They (Shahnaz, Islahuddin and Shahbaz Senior) left me and my companions midway through our campaign we started together against the PHF elections but we will stand our ground.”

“I will still demand fresh PHF elections and whosoever succeeds should be given right to run the PHF,” said the former Olympian.

Samiullah said that he would like to wish the new head coach and chief selector good luck but he said he didn’t hope that the newly-announced team management and selection committee could bring back the lost glories in the current scenario.

He further said that both Shahnaz and Islah should have preferred administrative roles to the current responsibilities they have taken.

“The Asian Games would be the first target of the PHF but under the current circumstances there was no chance to defend the title as there was no world-class player in the current lot of 25 players,” claimed Samiullah.

“The time is running short for the Asian Games and it will not be possible to raise a formidable team to defend the title,” he further said.

Also, Samiullah lamented that the government was not serious in resolving the issue of Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) rival bodies which could deny the country participation in the Asian Games and other big extravaganzas to be held under the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Charter.

“Ironically, the government is not taking any serious step to resolve this important issue which could lead to Pakistan suspension from the IOC, (in July this year). In fact, this issue should have been one of the top priorities of the government,” reckoned the former Olympian.

Decision in this regard should be taken immediately so that the clouds hovering over the participation of Pakistan team in the Asian Games are cleared soon, he added.

The Asiad will be held in South Korea in September but Pakistan could only participate if the PHF sends its entry through Arif Hasan-led POA which is recognised by the IOC.

Notwithstanding, the government has been denying the PHF permission as it wants PHF to send the entry through government-backed POA of Akram Sahi which has no authority to ensure Pakistan participation in any event held under the umbrella of the IOC. And that is why Pakistan hockey team participation in the upcoming Commonwealth Games is also in the doldrums.

Samiullah further said notwithstanding that PHF secretary, Islah and Shahnaz offered him to join them for the betterment of hockey, he believed it was not possible until a new leadership emerges as a result of fresh elections.

He also criticised the decision of induction of four coaches and as many selectors to assist head coach Shahnaz and chief selector Islah, saying that no one could justify induction of four coaches to help a head coach.

“It never occurred even in the past that such a large number of coaches and selectors were inducted,” said Samiullah.