ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) Executive Board approved the federation’s action of removing Olympian Khalid Bashir from his position of Associate Secretary PHF.

The meeting also discussed the upcoming elections of hockey management at district level.

After the meeting, secretary PHF Shahbaz Ahmed Senior told Dawn that the elections and security process of clubs and district level are likely to be completed by April 30.

He it was decided in the meeting that from April 25 to May 15, a school boys national championship will be organised at the Shahnaz Sheikh Hockey Stadium in Rawalpindi.

“The secretary PHF deliberated on the agenda points and announced the Inter-club Championship at district level to be conducted by 30th April 2018 under the respective provincial associations,” read a press release.

It said that the meeting was chaired by the president PHF Brig. (Retd) Muhammad Khalid S. Khokhar and attended by secretary PHF, all provincial secretaries, Ms. Khushbakht Shujat chairperson PHF Women’s Wing, Muhammad Saeed Khan vice-president PHF, Brig. Ghulam Jilani director army Sports Directorate & Technocrats Syed Musaddiq Hussain, Naveed Alam & Qasim Khan.Mr Khokhar also explained the reasons for removing Khalid Bashir as associate secretary. He said Bashir was continuously violating the code of conduct of PHF and issuing statements against the policies of PHF.

He told the house that removal of Bashir ‘was initiated on disciplinary grounds with a heavy heart’.

However, Bashir said he was sidelined for raising his voice against alleged corruption in federation.

Speaking to Dawn, he said that in the last congress meeting, which was held in January this year, he raised his voice against the reports of alleged corruption in federation.

He said that the congress meeting was informed with supported documents, that media is projecting various financial embezzlement on the part of PHF, which needs to be immediately inquired and clarified.

The former Olympian said that current management has failed to bring any improvement in hockey, rather national game has been witnessing further decline.

“Under the supervision of current management, Pakistan team, in a match played draw game against minnows world number 32 team Oman, which is clear indication, that our hockey is not on right track,” he said.In his letter, in response to removal orders, the former penalty corner specialist said: “Instead of appreciating my above efforts in highlighting the above mentioned issues, president PHF who was presiding meeting of congress, not only snubbed the undersigned but also threatened that anyone who tried to bring such official documents will be taken to task and FIR will be lodged against him.”

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2018