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“There is no question of Pakistani players taking part in World Series Hockey (WSH). Not a single player will play,” Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) general secretary Asif Bajwa has declared.
Bajwa said the federation had categorically banned its players from the $2 million league to be held in India from next month and claimed any player found violating PHF directives would also be suspended from the national and domestic teams.
“FIH has written a letter to us which clearly states that this league is unsanctioned. Our national team members will not take part in it, and those who are not in the team at present will also follow suit,” he said.
“All the players who are affiliated with our units will have to avoid this league.”
The lucrative WSH league is being organised by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), a federation not recognized by FIH as the national federation for the game in India. Hockey India (HI), according to the world governing body, is the official federation and has been involved in a tussle with IHF for a while now.
As many as nine players from Pakistan have signed the contract with the WSH, and striker Rehan Butt is the captain of one of the eight franchises.
Rehan also admitted that it is now very difficult for them to be a part of this league.
“I don’t think that we will be able to play in current circumstances. I have sent the copy of FIH letter to Neo Sports yesterday and asked them to clarify the position. They have asked for three days. I am waiting for their reply,” he told from Lahore.
Former captain and ace defender Zeeshan Ashraf too sounded apprehensive when asked about his chances of playing in the WSH.
“Nothing is sure as of now. We will wait and watch, but one thing is certain that we will not defy PHF directives,” he said.
On the other hand, IHF president RK Shetty still sounded optimistic about Pakistani players’ participation in the league.
“As of now, there is no hurdle in their participation. They are very much a part of this league and we have already received their consent in this regard,” he said.
Apart from Rehan and Zeeshan, seasoned campaigner Mudassar Ali, Tariq Aziz, midfielder Adnan Maqsood, half back Waseem Ahmad, Pakistan’s most capped player and drag—flicker Syed Imran Warsi and striker Shakeel Abbasi.
