KARACHI, June 3: Former hockey stars on Tuesday took a swipe at Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) saying nepotism and damaging steps were the causes of team’s humiliation at the recent three-nation contest in Australia.

Hanif Khan and Rasheedul Hassan, two hockey greats of yesteryear, were of the opinion it was because of PHF’s lack of planning Pakistan finished at rock bottom in the Perth tournament.

Pakistan’s victory at Azlan Shah Cup earlier this year in Kuala Lumpur proved a flash in the pan as the team slumped to new lows when greenshirts lost all the games in Perth competition where Australia, India and Australia ‘A’ were in fray.

Pakistan lost to Australia 3-0, before being humiliated by Australia ‘A’ 5-3, and losing to arch-rivals India 2-0. The national side even could not manage to take third place when Australia ‘A’ again humbled them 2-1 in the playoff.

“It was because of PHF’s unprofessional policies that we had to go through such ignominy in Australia. Had PHF been sincere with the sport and infused young blood in 2002 after the World Cup debacle, the results would have been different,” Rasheed said.

The former right-half said the PHF had ample opportunity and time to prepare a formidable squad for next year’s Olympics, but the sport was ailing owing to officials’ prejudice.

Rasheed, a 1984 Los Angeles Olympic gold medal-winning squad member, said goalkeeper Ahmad Alam had no place in the squad after he announced his retirement in 2001 following his pathetic show at Azlan Shah Cup where he conceded 25 goals.

“There was no reason to recall Ahmad back while (Mohammad) Qasim was delivering the goods in Ahmad’s absence. Qasim was excellent at Amstelveen Champions Trophy in 2001 and performed well at the World Cup too.

“Young goalkeeper Salman Akbar should also have been retained after the World Cup for further grooming. But PHF went for old hats like Ahmad. And now we are getting thrashed,” he said.

But it was not only unprofessional attitude of the PHF because of which hockey is suffering, Rasheed also felt double standards adopted by the officials was another cause of disaster.

Rasheed said while former captain Mohammad Nadeem was suspended for the tour Down Under as a disciplinary action for playing in professional league abroad, Sohail Abbas and Waseem Ahmad escaped punishment although both had also gone to play in the league in Germany.

“Nadeem was punished despite offering apology and coming back from Germany without finishing the league. But PHF announced no penalty for Sohail and Waseem. If this is not double standards then what is,” he questioned.

Rasheed contended if Nadeem was axed and another former skipper Mohammad Sarwar was overlooked despite scoring 18 goals in the last national championship, then there was no room for aging Ahmad and Mohammad Saqlain.

“These kind of double standards create heartburn among the players. But the PHF and the team officials are still wrecking havoc with the sport by playing the game of favouritism,” he added.

Hanif, a former captain, joined the chorus and agreed with Rasheed, saying changes soon after the World Cup loss would have helped PHF raise a young squad.

“It is happening all due to PHF’s wrong policies. We would have been in a stronger position had PHF brought in youngsters just after the World Cup,” he said.

The former left-in said if Ahmad and Saqlain were retained for the Australian tour then there was no reason for showing Nadeem and Sarwar the door.

“Nadeem has been penalised but what about the other two (Sohail and Waseem). Why they have not been punished as they even did not bother to return before the trials like Nadeem,” Hanif argued.

Hanif lashed out at Ahmad saying although he was number one goalkeeper he conceded at least nine or ten goals in the tournament that too while playing against outfits like Australian second-string side.