Former hockey captain and forward Rehan Butt has termed the anti-PHF protest camp established by a few Olympians “a conspiracy against Pak team” ahead of Olympics. “It is not the right time for such protests as the team is going through its final preparations for Olympics and such a negative campaign can hamper its performance in the mega event,” he was quoted by Associated Press of Pakistan here on Thursday after attending a session of back up training camp for Olympics at outer ground of national stadium. Rehan is among the 16 players who are attending the 10-day camp to gain prime fitness to get a possible slot in the Pak team for London Olympics. “I will say it is a conspiracy against Pak team because the timing for such a protest is not suitable as the team has yet to play in Olympics,” he said adding ” If the former Olympians are really hockey friendly than they should not have chosen this time for such a campaign which is harming the overall interest of hockey in the country. “I think they should have waited to see how the team performs in Olympics before launching their campaign.” Rehan Butt said it was quite unfortunate that the Pak hockey and the national hockey team are being targeted for not producing good results in its recent showings in Europe as the team is preparing for Olympics and yet to play the elite hockey event in London. He strongly criticised the former olympians Naveed Alam and Mohammad Saqlain for leading the ongoing protest camp against PHF and said these two players have a tainted past in hockey because of their indiscipline and wrong doings as players. Rehan said Naveed and Saqlain are known as controversial figures of Pak hockey and through their protest camp they have mixed politics with hockey which is damaging for the game. “They are doing it (protest camp) for the promotion of their own vested interest,” he said and adding: “It is the time to lend support to Pak hockey to enhance the morale and confidence of players so that they could come up to the expectations in London Olympics.” Rehan said it is too early to conclude the performance of the team regarding its showing in the London Olympics and the critics should wait and see how the team performs in Olympics and then draw their future line of action against the team or PHF.
