KARACHI, Sept 18: Former Olympic star forward Samiullah Khan has called for quick intervention to save hockey from more embarrassment.

“Our hockey is passing through the toughest phase of its history and if urgent steps are not taken now, Pakistan may also be out of the Asian Games pretty soon,” he said in an interview on Wednesday.

“It is so sad and embarrassing to know that we would not be taking part in the Commonwealth Games after failing to qualify for next year’s World Cup,” he said.

“This is a double blow for our hockey and the main reason for this are the wranglings and dirty politics in Pakistan sports,” he lamented.

Samiullah regretted how the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), despite receiving huge grants from the government, had destroyed the game once ruled by Pakistan.

“We were such a force in world hockey, the pioneers of the World Cup and the Champions Trophy. But where do we stand now?” he questioned.

Samiullah, who was known as the “Flying Horse” for his incredible speed and agility in the game, demanded immediate resignation by the whole PHF set-up.

“The PHF officials must accept responsibility for the hockey debacles and should quit their posts. An interim set-up or ad-hoc should be imposed to put the game back on track,” he advised. —APP