Daily Times

LAHORE: Hockey India on Monday announced its decision not to play any bilateral series with Pakistan unless an unconditional apology is not submitted from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for what it termed ‘baseless allegations’ levelled against it. Through a media release, the Hockey India also blamed the PHF of perpetual lies and demanded the national federation to submit an ‘unconditional regret in writing’ for what the statement said ‘lewd and unprofessional behaviour of the Pakistan team during the FIH Champions Trophy 2014’ and ‘the PHF’s habit of telling perpetual lies to media regarding Hockey India.’

Earlier on December 1, 2016, the PHF had issued a statement, rejecting claims from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) that it had not submitted travel documents for its players by the official deadline, which the FIH said resulted in Pakistan’s exclusion from the Junior World Cup. Malaysia had replaced Pakistan after the development. “India had offered visas to the Malaysian team in three-days’ time,” it added. “India did not issue Pakistan’s junior hockey players the visas that they needed to be able to participate in the tournament,” the statement had added. It further said: “This version of the FIH is completely baseless as the PHF had submitted visa application forms along with relevant documents pertaining to visa formalities well in time on October 24. The No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the government of Pakistan had also been obtained on time but still India did not issue visas to the Pakistani contingent.”

Citing the two-months old media reports regarding an interview of PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed, Hockey India said that most of the issues raised by Ahmed should have been addressed to the IHF, however, there were a few clarifications which Hockey India would like to address. In its clarification on visas rejection, Hockey India claimed: “It is very clearly stipulated that the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs had requested for residents of Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, Stateless persons and Pakistan to submit their visa application at least 60 days prior to the commencement of the tournament to avoid the visa applications being rejected. Since the PHF failed to adhere to the deadlines for the submission of their visas, Hockey India cannot be blamed for the consequent rejection of invitation by the FIH.”

Hockey India further said the FIH also sent numerous reminders to the PHF for the submission of Pakistan team’s visa applications but to avail. “The decision of the FIH to withdraw the Pakistan team from the Hockey Junior World Cup 2016 was solely its discretion and has nothing to do with Hockey India,” it added. Hockey India spokesman Dr. RP Singh went on to say: “It is a shame that the PHF has again raised the issue of the misbehaviour of the Pakistan hockey team during the FIH Champions Trophy in 2014 as an excuse and opportunity to blame Hockey India for their own incompetence that resulted in the Pakistan team not participating in the Hockey Junior World Cup 2016. We once again reiterate that the PHF should learn to take responsibility for their incompetence and incapabilities and stop blaming India to please their local audience. It is high time that the PHF learns to work as an organisation and stop blaming others for their own internal problems.”