KARACHI, April 2: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) failed to fulfil its promise of defending its banned junior team manager as it is yet to approach sport's international ruling body for appeal despite a lapse of four months.
International Hockey Federation (FIH) had slapped a one-year ban on Col Abdur Rauf last November for breaching the code of conduct during a tour of Poland and withdrawing his side during a second match of the three-match series against hosts last year.
The game played in the Polish city of Gneizno was halted in the first half after few decisions by umpire. The situation turned ugly ten minutes before time when Poland were leading 6-5.
It led to a flare-up as Pakistani players protested against the umpiring decisions and had exchange of hot words with Polish players and umpire.
Rauf, rather than controlling his players, entered the field exchanged hot words with Polish hockey officials and withdrew his team in protest. The series was called off after Rauf refused to field his side for the third game.
The manager was debarred by FIH from sitting on bench for a year after receiving an official complaint from Polish Hockey Association (PHA) about official's violent behaviour.
According to a PHF official, PHA did not want Pakistan to participate in a seven-nation tournament following the incident involving Pakistani players and Rauf. The decision was reversed by the PHA after PHF's request.
PHF secretary had stated during a press conference last December PHF would file an appeal against FIH's decision, but it now seemed little interested in defending its official.
A FIH spokesman said it had received a notification from the PHF on Dec 10, 2003, showing willingness to appeal and had advised Pakistani officials to submit more information.
"FIH has received no further correspondence regarding any appeal from PHF," the FIH official told Dawn.
The FIH official said PHF was informed in clear terms that the action of its team was unacceptable, especially the actions constitute a serious breach of FIH Code of Conduct.
"The FIH Executive Board in its Nov 20, 2003, meeting imposed a ban on manager being appointed to any official position with any team representing PHF in any international competition until Sept 1, 2004," he said.
The FIH official disclosed PHF had also been directed to pay the expenses PHA had to bear after Rauf's decision against playing the series.
"PHF has also been directed to reimburse the PHA the actual direct costs and losses incurred by PHA as a result of PHF's team refusal to play (against Polish team)," he said.