Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi to play in WSH
According to Butt, the PHF has threatened the players and warned them not to participate in the league. -File photo
KARACHI: Pakistan’s star hockey players Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi have decided to participate in World Series Hockey (WSH), India’s controversial hockey, league which begins today.
Talking to the media at Lahore airport, Butt said that he had made the decision to play in the league to honour the commitment that he had made.
He further added that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) should not be stopping the players from participating in the league as Pakistan’s national team is not playing any other series at the moment.
According to Butt, the PHF has threatened the players and warned them not to participate in the league.
The PHF, acting in accordance with the policy of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), has forbidden the players to participate in the league and will be imposing bans on them if they do.
I see an issue if there is a conflict of interest and the players named for national commitments are forfeiting their primary responsibility. This is a win-win situation. The players get experience and stay in shape in the process. Players are also exposed to different style of play, work ethics, and the level of commitment other players bring to the field. Placing restrictions on these players will only do more harm. I hope PHF gives due consideration to this matter and not fall victim to outdated policies and political whims that has practically wiped out Pakistan hockey from the medal spots.
There should not be any restriction like that. It happened in past in cricket with Packers, nowadays every cricketer is playing in Leagues or counties. PHF is filled with old timemers; These laegue matches will provide more independent training and aggressiveness to players.
Totally agree with Sami; No player be restricted from playing outside the PHF plays. Afterall they age participating in Hockey and not sitting at home or just practicing; There is difference in playing a competitive game and practice session. Moreover as the players indicated there is no active national game. I have full support for the players to go ahead with their plans. All the old/obselete Bylaws be revised with current times by PHF. All the bylaws should players friendly and be flexiable.These are not the religious laws, these can be changed with time. Even the national constitution changed or amended many times.