LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is in a state of confusion whether or not to participate in the 2014 Asian Games after the Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC) Ministry refused to grant it permission to send the expression of interest through the IOC-recognised Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) led by retired Lt Gen Arif Hasan.

Dawn learnt on Friday that Arif’s POA had contacted the PHF asking it to send the expression of interest for participating in the Asian extravaganza by Dec 31, 2013. Upon receiving the POA call, the PHF — sticking to its previously held policy — contacted the IPC to seek its permission.

But, sources said, the Ministry regarding the Arif-led POA not legitimate had asked the PHF not to send the expression of interest through his body.

Interestingly, the IPC recognises Akram Sahi-headed POA, which has no international standing and his Olympic body is in no position to ensure Pakistan’s participation in any sporting event organised under the IOC Charter.

It is relevant to mention here that owing to the same rigid and narrow-minded attitude of the IPC the national hockey team was deprived of participation in the 2014 Commonwealth Games to be hosted by Glasgow in July-August. Similarly, no Pakistan athlete could participate in the third Islamic Solidarity Games held last year in Palembang, Indonesia, primarily due to the same reason.

Furthermore, the country, it is feared, will not be able to send its contingent to the Feb 6-23 Sochi Winter Olympics too, resulting in further ruining the career of many Pakistan athletes. Unfortunately, all this due to the rigid attitude of the IPC and the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB)!

However, sources said, the PHF wanted the national team to feature in this year’s Asian Games at any cost, as Pakistan — winners of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games — would be defending the title at the continental showpiece scheduled to be staged in Incheon, South Korea from Sept 19 to Oct 4. The PHF, sources added, was also facing pressure from the Asian Hockey Federation to field the Pakistan hockey team, being the defending champions, in the Asiad.

But it seems as the PHF in running its affairs depends wholly on government’s financial support, the federation does not want to make the IPC angry by making a direct contact with Arif’s POA.

However, PHF president Akhtar Rasool, sources said, was in contact with all government quarters concerned to get permission for the said event as he believed the government would take a positive decision keeping in view national interest.

Though the deadline of Dec 31 had passed, the POA could still ensure Pakistan hockey team’s entry into the Asiad after submitting a special request from its president Arif Hasan, sources said.