Bias in hockey selection alleged

Published April 15, 2002

LAHORE, April 14: International goalkeeper, Qadeer Bashir, Sunday lashed out at the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) saying he had been sidelined for the national training camp due to PHF’s discriminatory attitude.

The goalkeeper said PHF’s claim of picking probables on the basis of their performance in the recently concluded 49th national hockey championship here, was false.

Qadeer, who represented Police at the championship, claimed that out of six, four goalkeepers — Mohammad Iqbal (PTCL), Shabbir (NBP), Rashad Yaqoob (Sindh Whites) and Mansha (Punjab Colours) — had not been selected on merit.

The camp to be set up here from May 6 will be for July’s Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

The goalkeeper, who had represented Pakistan in four internationals, said he conceded nine goals in the championship but was ignored. Whereas, Rashad conceded 39 goals, and Mansha 20, he added.

He said he had also saved two penalty strokes.

He complained Iqbal was selected despite the fact he did not play a single match of the championship and added Iqbal and Shabbir were standby goalkeepers of their sides.

According to Qadeer, apart from Olympian Khurshid Alam, other members of the committee came to the venue only on the concluding day.

Opinion

Editorial

Stranded Afghans
Updated 12 Apr, 2025

Stranded Afghans

It is both unfair and dangerous that Afghan people’s immediate well-being has been left entirely to Pakistan to consider.
Peaceful protest
12 Apr, 2025

Peaceful protest

A CONCLAVE of local divines that had gathered in Islamabad on Thursday have made two important points: firstly, that...
Squash hopes
12 Apr, 2025

Squash hopes

IT was a monumental triumph: Noor Zaman came back from the brink to clinch the Under-23 World Squash Championships...
Balochistan outreach
Updated 11 Apr, 2025

Balochistan outreach

Terrorists must be dealt with firmly, but engaging in political activity cannot be equated with terrorism.
PSL season
Updated 11 Apr, 2025

PSL season

The season begins with the national team consistently underperforming and a war of words raging between franchise owners over the PSL’s standing.
Student woes
11 Apr, 2025

Student woes

BRIGHT young Pakistanis face an uncertain future in the US. The Trump administration, not content with merely...