KARACHI, Jan 20: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) treasurer Iqbal Bali has quit, alleging that there was no justification to continue after being forced out of district association polls through discrimination.

In his resignation letter dated Jan 14, 2006, submitted to PHF president Tariq Kirmani, Iqbal has pointed out several instances of favouritism and discrimination which led to his two clubs being declared “ineligible” for casting votes in Toba Tek Singh Hockey Association elections.

“In the recent scrutiny of hockey clubs registered with DHAs, the favourite and privileged persons have been selected rather than lawful elections in violation of PHF’s directives to derive cherished results. I hereby submit my resignation under protest from the office of PHF treasurer,” wrote Iqbal.

Elaborating, the former PHF official claimed his clubs – Nishter and Tahir XI– had been declared ineligible to vote despite being active for the last 16 years, while four clubs had been given the right of vote who did not meet the requirements.

“Four clubs — Aslam Roda, Olympian Village, 786, and New Shaheen — have been granted the right to vote, although they were given right of play just a month before the scrutiny process which started from Nov 26, 2005.

“Even six club officials were not informed about the date and venue of the elections to allow blue-eyed boys to contest without any resistance.

“All these irregularities are being done because of personal interest and to oblige and use favourites. All PHF wants is people who could be its ‘Yes Men’.

“Since I am not in PHF’s good books, favourites are being installed to take the charge of hockey affairs at grassroots level,” Iqbal told Dawn on Friday.

The former official said although Tahir XI could have used right of franchise after a court verdict in their favour, he refrained from going to the elections in protest.

“There was no point in casting vote since I had already pointed out the irregularities to the DCO who said he had talked to “somebody” and the elections will be held as scheduled.”

“Not a single MPA has been involved in the scrutiny, while in Punjab MPA Bilal Warraich was included in the scrutiny committee,” he alleged.

Iqbal said PHF breached its own set of rules by accepting new clubs, while only those clubs mentioned in official records approved earlier showing activity in the past years were to be allowed to continue.

Iqbal alleged that it was secretary PHF, Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan, who had been urging his hand-picked people to manipulate the results and play dirty games.

“Election is a political process and if these coaches will be involved in that process how they will be expected to do justice with the national teams. Belonging to different areas of Punjab, they will definitely try to select as many boys as they can from their own cities or towns,” he claimed.

Mohammad Shahbaz had been elected secretary of Toba Tek Singh, Tahir Zaman, Rana Mujahid and Asif Bajwa would be representatives from Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad and Gujranwala, Iqbal said.

“Now these coaches will sit in PHF Congress or may be in the Council to make hockey policies. How we can expect justice from them since they are also coaches of the teams. Rana Mujahid has been judge, coach, organising secretary and tournament director, while these are different fields.”

Iqbal said while Punjab Home Secretary, Khusro Pervaiz, was appointed coordinator, it was Naveed Alam who was calling the shots. According to PHF criteria, new clubs raised and offered for scrutiny could have been recommended by the officials involved in scrutiny through provincial coordinator to the PHF.

“Naveed, who is from Sheikhupura and elected secretary of Punjab Hockey Association, was banned for hitting an umpire during a national championship in mid 1990s.

“Aslam Roda’s Gojra Club was also suspended in 1980 for two years for misconduct, while he was once removed from the bench as official during inter-district event. Now he has been elected president of Toba Tek Singh.”