KARACHI, March 21: Pakistan Customs which won the national crown for seven times and provided dozens of Olympians to Pakistan will be missing the 49th edition of National Hockey Championship scheduled to be held at National Hockey Stadium Lahore later this month.

This may be for the first time since the competition was launched in 1948 when premier event of the country will be contested without Pakistan Customs.

Customs were also joint national champions with PIA in 1985 besides winning the event on seven occasions.

“We are naturally disappointed to miss the event because of Custom’s immense contribution in sport” Olympian and former Pakistan captain Hasan Sardar told APP when contacted Thursday.

“We are not getting fair treatment from Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) either” he complained.

He said in the past traditions, Vice President of PHF used to be automatically from Pakistan Customs Preventive side because of their contribution in hockey in producing and grooming players which he said was no more in force.

He said because of the financial constraints and job bans, Customs could not induct new players thus it was impossible to maintain the team and compete at the top level.

He, however, said Pakistan Customs hockey team could only be revived with proper support and patronage from the government and PHF.

He requested the PHF Chief General Aziz Khan and Secretary Brig. Musarratullah Khan for inducting Vice President of PHF as per the past traditions from the Customs.

It may be mentioned that the present government was focussing on sports policy. But for the promotion of sports it was necessary that government institutions including Pakistan Customs may be allowed permission to induct hockey players and sportsmen in their departments, he viewed.—APP