KARACHI, Jan 3: Shahid Ali Khan, the PIA hockey team manager, has lashed out at Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the organizers for preparing schedule favouring some departments at the ongoing national championship.

"We did not play against Allied Bank (ABL) today since they requested the organizers to wait as they will reach Karachi later because of domestic problems. According to rules, we should have been given a walkover.

But organizers brushed aside all the rules to favour bankers. Now we will play ABL tomorrow and then face Navy the next day without any rest. Many teams are forced to play four matches continuously," he protested.

The PIA official said organizers had also violated the rules by allowing the bankers to participate. "There is always a cut off date for the confirmation and no team could be allowed to take part after that date. But in ABL's case not only the schedule is being changed but organizers are not awarding us a walkover."

He said according to rules once the schedule was finalized the organizers could not change it. But, he said, the tournament had been reduced to a farce as changes had been made to the schedule several times breaching the rules.

The Olympian said matches of the minnows like PTV, Higher Education Commission were being played early in the morning as the organizers felt that they were underdogs.

"If such teams are not formidable then it does not mean that they should be crushed. Customs have taken advantage of being organizers and have scheduled their matches mostly in the evening, while National Bank (NBP) were being favoured as they were the sponsors of the tournament.

"Customs have placed themselves in pool B having four teams, while other pools have five. And this is all to have better chances to qualify for the quarterfinals. Why all the matches of the SSGC have been scheduled at UBL Sports Complex.

Just because it is their practice ground and they will get benefit. Why Customs are not playing at UBL Sports Complex." Shahid said only independent people should be appointed tournament director to avoid any bias. "This tournament is a premier event and should be played according to FIH rules. Nobody cares about the laws. Everybody has vested interests".