Pakistan Hockey Federation imposes lifetime ban on 5 former players trying to form separate body

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), in a recent development, banned five former players for trying to form a separate organization. Tariq Bugti, the PHF president, announced on Wednesday, October 30. Haider Ali, Abbas Ali, Saleem Nazim, Khalid Bashir, and Nasir Ali, who all have represented Pakistan at the Olympics, have been suspended.

Nasir Ali and Khalid Bashir were renowned defenders who won Olympic medals. Saleem Nazir had also made a name for himself as an efficient midfielder.

The PHF chief said that the five players illegally tried to use funds from the hockey federation’s account without approval and tampered with records.

"The PHF found them guilty of trying to run a parallel federation, stealing PHF records and using funds from a PHF account without approval," Bugti said, as quoted by Press Trust of India (PTI).

"These group of people tried to sabotage the PHF affairs and stole important documents and also illegally blocked a bank account which collected rents from our shops, offices and warehouses at the Hockey Club of Pakistan in Karachi," Bugti added.

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Pakistan hockey going through troubled times

Pakistan hockey has not had the best of times after Brigadier (retd) Sajjad Khokar, who served as the PHF chief for more than two terms, was forced to step down. From there on, two groups have been at loggerheads to take charge of Pakistan hockey.

Shehla Raza, a politician from Karachi, headed a group. Bugti, a politician from Balochistan, led the other group. However, the International Hockey Federation and Pakistan Sports Board said that the group headed by Bugti and Rana Mujahid, a former Olympian, would be recognized.

Haider Ali worked as a secretary general when Khokar was in charge. But after Khokar resigned, he joined the Shehla Raza-led PHF.

It remains to be seen if Pakistan hockey return to its former glory days.

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