PHF threatens legal action against detractors

The Pakistan Hockey Federation on Monday directed all the national hockey players to stay away from the World Series Hockey or face a five-year ban. The decision came in the PHF Executive Committee meeting which assembled here at the PHF headquarters on Monday morning and lasted till the evening.
A PHF official said that it is an unauthorised event which is not being recognised by the International Hockey Federation and thus the PHF cannot allow its players to take part in this illegal activity and any player opts to play in it, he would be sidelined from the game for five years.
The 48th PHF Congress Meeting was presided over by President PHF Qasim Zia. The Congress unanimously approved the budget for the fiscal year 2011-12 which was approved unanimously by the Congress. Total Income during the fiscal year was Rs 210 million and expenses were 460 million. The deficit amounting to Rs 250 million, which was covered by saving the money by minimising the expenditures from various heads including the carried forward amount from the previous fiscal year. The Congress also approved the appointment of Auditor for the PHF Accounts M/s. Aslam Malik & Co., who are PHF Auditor since 1978. The Congress also approved the forecast of the events for the year 2012. The 31st National Junior Hockey Championship will be played from 10th to 22nd January in Sialkot and 59th edition of the National Senior Hockey Championship will be played at HCP Stadium Karachi from January 26 to February 11, 2012. The President and the Secretary General informed the members of the instructions received from the FIH on March 2011, requiring that no person can either hold or participate in any unsanctioned event. The requirements for obtaining the sanction from their relevant units were also explained and disciplinary action that would follow. Under direction of FIH, the Congress approved the amendments to be made in the PHF Constitution.
“We have asked the members to identify at least 100 schools all over the country, which have playgrounds and the PHF will provide equipment and gear to the schools and shall own them,” said an official of the PHF. “The PHF Congress also decided that PHF should take the legal action against those elements who are defaming and blemishing PHF by writing letters to higher authorities. “The decision was taken that the federation would take legal action against former Olympians who are making allegations of corruption and misuse of power against PHF officials.”
“The council agreed that all those who defy the PHF and go and play in any tournament that is not sanctioned by the FIH will be immediately banned for five years and would not be able to play in Pakistan,” PHF President Qasim Zia said. It has been learnt that some of the top Pakistan players have signed to play in the WHS which is to be held in India from February 2012. Forward Rehan Butt, former Pakistan captain Zeeshan Ashraf, half-backs Waseem Ahmed and Shakeel Abbasi, goalkeeper Salman Akbar and some other players are believed to be among the among those who have shown their desire to play in the WHS. “Former Olympians are free to criticise the federation or performance of team but we can’t have any of them making serious and unsubstantiated allegations of corruption against PHF officials,” Zia said.
The council also reviewed the performance of the senior and junior teams for the year 2011 and also discussed preparations for the 2012 London Olympics. “There was also lot of debate on performance of Dutch coach Van Den specially his reluctance to remain in Pakistan for any long period of time,” one source said. The Dutch coach has come in for criticism after Pakistan finished seventh in the eight-team Champions Trophy in New Zealand and he also skipped the recent home series against China because of Christmas vacations.