KARACHI, March 21: Sindh Sports Minister Qamar Mansoor on Tuesday alleged that Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had been instrumental in creating controversies in Karachi hockey affairs through manoeuvring. Reacting over the announcement of five-member “selection committee” to select two Karachi teams for the forthcoming All-Pakistan regional hockey championship in Hyderabad, he said it was nothing but a betrayal and an eye-wash.

The minister termed PHF statement as baseless and misleading which says Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) March 12 elections have been declared null and void and that scrutiny of the clubs would be held again.

“The press release issued by PHF announcing a five-member committee is totally baseless. The situation is entirely different but few people are trying to depict wrong picture which is against what PHF president Tariq Kirmani had decided,” Qamar told Dawn.

The minister, appointed by PHF as the coordinator for elections in Sindh, said he met with Kirmani on Saturday and it was decided that a probe committee would be constituted under his chairmanship to investigate the elections and process of the clubs scrutiny.

Qamar said although it was supposed to be a one-to-one meeting between him and Kirmani, it became a farce since PHF director technical Islahuddin Siddiqui and director marketing Naveed Haider were also present and interfered unnecessarily.

“First PHF wanted to impose an ad hoc on KHA which I opposed since only Sindh Sports Board or Sindh Hockey Association (SHA) can do it not PHF. When I objected that KHA elections and scrutiny could not be held again as process has been completed, Kirmani decided to form a committee to investigate the transparency of the process and appointed me the chairman.

“I am sure that apart from Kirmani, all the remaining PHF office-bearers are involved in this dirty politics which could do nothing except harming hockey in Karachi and Sindh. I believe all this is being done to keep the vote bank intact by installing favourites in districts,” said Qamar without naming anybody.

The minister said it was also decided at the meeting that Karachi would again be distributed into four districts rather being considered one district. “But I am surprised to read there was no mention about the decision which is a conspiracy against Karachi.”

Qamar, also a member of PHF advisory board, said since PHF had already announced that KHA elections were null and void how two Karachi teams could be selected through a selection committee which is not even approved by the president.

“If we take PHF words and KHA elections are null and void, then how can a selection committee which is not even endorsed by PHF president select Karachi teams which is KHA’s right,” he contented.

Qamar questioned if KHA elections were null and void, how the teams could participate in the regional tournament which starts March 26.

“Can PHF hold scrutiny of clubs and KHA elections and inter-club tournament before March 26. Certainly it can’t be done. Then how the teams can be selected and participate in the regional event.”

The minister alleged PHF director domestic hockey Muhammad Shafique had also been a president of a local club and representative from Balochistan in PHF Council which was a blatant violation of PHF constitution which did not allow any official to hold more than one office.