KARACHI, Aug 30: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is taking steps to stop a fast-increasing trend of national players signing up to play for foreign clubs without any permission from the federation.

A PHF spokesman said on Friday that the federation has issued a directive to all hockey clubs and players that they shall have to seek NOC from the PHF if they wanted to play professional hockey abroad.

“The PHF has warned all concerned that if the clubs or players tried to violate this directive, stern disciplinary action will be taken against them. This directive has come in the wake of many clubs and players who flouted this rule at the cost of national hockey interest,” said the spokesman.

Pakistan have lost several key players to professional hockey in Europe. Short corner specialist Sohail Abbas and former captain Wasim Ahmed have been playing in the European League for the last five years and have been banned by the PHF for preferring their club commitments over national duty.—PPI