Three Pakistani hockey players and a physiotherapist have been banned for life for trying to flee and take refuge in a European country without the knowledge of the Pakistan Hockey Federation. Actually, the reason for this is also the financial condition of Pakistani hockey, due to which there was a delay in getting the allowance to the players.
PHF secretary general Rana Mujahid confirmed on Thursday that Murtaza Yaqoob, Ihtesham Aslam and Abdur Rehman, along with physiotherapist Waqas, had travelled to the Netherlands and Poland for the Nations Cup last month.
The former Olympian admitted that the financial situation of the PHF was quite challenging. The players had to face delays in their travel allowances and daily subsistence payments, but this cannot be the reason for leaving the national team and bringing disrepute to the country.
Mujahid said, ‘When the team returned home and we announced the training camp for the Asian Champions Trophy, all three of them told us that they would not be able to join the camp due to domestic issues.
Mujahid said, ‘We came to know that they had once again gone to Holland (Netherlands) on the same Schengen visa issued to the team and sought political asylum there.’
Mujahid said it was a “disappointing” development for Pakistan hockey as it would make it difficult to apply for visas to European countries for international competitions.
He said that the PHF has approved the lifetime ban. The PHF president has been asked to make efforts through the Pakistan Consulate to bring him back for disciplinary action. Mujahid said – We have already informed the Home and Foreign Ministries for further action.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)