KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), on Friday, issued show-cause notices to seven players, following their participation in a non-sanctioned hockey tournament in India – casting doubts over their participation in the London Olympics in three months’ time.
Former captain Zeeshan Ashraf, star forwards Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi and members of the national team Waseem Ahmed, Imran Warsi, Tariq Aziz and Adnan Maqsood were issued notices by the federation, seeking an explanation for their participation in the World Series Hockey (WSH) tournament in India.
The players have been summoned before a disciplinary committee on May 7.
“Seven Pakistani players featured in the “World Hockey Series”, which was played in India. The FIH declared the event as unsanctioned so these players have violated the constitution of PHF and FIH,” a PHF release said.
WSH, which was not sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), was termed a rebel tournament.
PHF had warned national players against participating in the tournament, saying it could lead to their exclusion from Pakistan’s Olympic squad. The players, however, went ahead and took part in the tournament, with Rehan Butt leading Chandigarh Comets into the semi-finals of the inaugural event.
Former Olympians and World Cup-winning members of the national team have voiced their support for the Indian tournament, but PHF officials have dismissed it.
The players are now expected to reply to the notice issued by the federation, following which the body may or may not take legal action against them.
Pakistan’s dwindling fortunes in field hockey would suffer another serious blow if the players were banned.
