KARACHI, Aug 5 Former national hockey team captain Mohammad Saqlain has said that he is being forced to retire before his time.

Speaking to Dawn on Wednesday evening after learning that he had not been included in the list of 31 players called for a conditioning camp being held in preparation for the World Cup qualifiers from Aug 10, a very upset Saqlain said “This is not on. Pakistan Hockey Federation [PHF] Secretary Asif Bajwa had personally called me before the England tour in June to assure me that I along with three other seniors, namely, Rehan Butt, Sohail Abbas and Shakeel Abbasi were only being rested for the time being and that we should continue with our training as we will definitely be considered for the qualifiers.

“But now I am shocked to learn that I have been dropped entirely from the team.”

When asked what he thought could be the reason behind this latest development, Saqlain said “I think Asif Bajwa has been carrying this old personal vendetta against me. He just wants me out.”

While delving into the past, Saqlain, who has represented Pakistan in as many as eight Champions Trophy editions along with two World Cups, three Asia Cups and one Olympics, explained “I was captain of the team that lost so badly, by 2-9, to Holland during the Champions Trophy back in 2006. My criticising the loss in the press had resulted in Bajwa's stepping down as coach of the team at the time.”

The 31-year-old halfback said that he was contacted by Asif Bajwa again on Monday asking him to announce his retirement from hockey.

“He told me that if I retire now, I would be considered for the job Mohammad Saqlain ... not

of junior team coach as I possess in depth knowledge of the sport and am the right person for the job in his eyes,” he said.

“But I am not interested in coaching any team at the moment as I consider myself fit to play. I have been training very hard for the qualifiers as I still want to represent my country in the field,” said the veteran of over 300 international matches who topped the fitness test before the Beijing Olympics last year.

“I have given 10 years of my life to Pakistan hockey and during this time I have declined several offers from foreign leagues too just to remain available for my country. I have remained with the national team during all its ups and downs over these years and I think no one other than myself has a right to decide my future for me. These are not drawing room decisions,” added the emotional Olympian.

“I want the federation to make public the results of my previous fitness tests. They can also test my fitness again any time any place as I am ready for that too. I know the team will be hurt by my absence and I said that to the federation President Qasim Zia sahib too when I went to see him in hospital yesterday,” he said.

According to the player, Qasim Zia who is in hospital due to an ulcer problem these days reassured him saying that he will look into the matter as well as speak to Bajwa after being discharged.