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International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Monday disallowed the Pakistan team to participate in Men's Hockey Junior World Cup 2016, which is being held in India from December 8 to 18, over Pakistan Hockey Federation's (PHF) inability to meet the deadlines.
FIH on Monday invited the Malaysian junior men’s team to take part in the event, replacing Pakistan, even though the green shirts had officially qualified.
The international body termed it PHF's fault as it failed to submit visa applications for Pakistani delegation before the official deadline and it's inability to confirm the delegation's accommodation venue before the deadline.
PHF Secretary Shehbaz Ahmed, while talking to DawnNews, termed the move 'pre-planned' and said, "Pakistan did not delay any schedule obligation and it is all India's fault to not issue visa to Pakistan's delegation before deadline."
"Our government had timely issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for players to take part in the tournament, but it is sad that Pakistan will not be able to take part in Junior Hockey World Cup," said Ahmed.
"We had planned training camps for our players so how can we delay any schedule to jeopardise our participation," he maintained.
"I had already seen it coming that this decision by FIH is going to go against Pakistan.”
Pakistan on November 19 had issued NOCs to the Pakistan Junior team for taking part in the Junior World Hockey Cup scheduled to be held in India from December 8 to 18.
PHF on November 16 had expressed reservations about India calling the shots in the world hockey and taking undue control to sideline Pakistan.
Comments (15) Closed
Rule is rule.
Present Indian government is setting low standards.
World is not fair.. get to of it.. and wait for your time to give some punches back.
PHF telling us the government issued no objection certificates, still does not tell us if they applied for visas and settled their venue of stay issue by the deadline. FIH does not disqualify a team unless they have foolproof evidence to do so. Dawn also should have clarified this for the readers and not just report what PHF said and leave the whole article unanswered and in ambiguity.
PHF needs to be proactive, stay a step ahead of your adversary.
Looks like Pakistani officials got blind sided by India. The real reason for the disqualification as given by the International Federation was "failure to submit visa applications for Pakistani delegation before the official deadline" The issuance of NOC and planning of training camps are not the same as visa application. This is how stupid our government bureaucrats are.
It's . when our can't win against a team or can't afford a loss against one in fears of backlash from a very tiny hearted society , you put all kinda of obstacles to ensure the opponent isn't on boarded. Naive Pakistani teams never get that logic across their heads.
Nice!!
PHF incompetence in full display! Of course they will blame FIH, India, own govt, and star alignment for this disaster. Big loss for the youngsters in green shirts
What a pity!!!
That's very unfair. PHF should take it strongly with the federation and world sports body to isolate India. It should ask the other countries to boycott this event.
Very unfair on the young players, and the sports lovers. Bureaucratic incompetence (whereever it is) hurting the game's prospects.
Total incompetence of the team management. On top of it they are blaming everyone else around them and not standing up to their responsibility.
@YourSTRULY Send me your email address. I would send you the link for youtube video links for the matches.
PHF team was ill-prepared; so naturally delayed the submission of visa application. Why put the careers of junior players at risk ?