New Delhi: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Thursday banned three hockey players and a physiotherapist for life for seeking asylum in a European country. PHF secretary-general Rana Mujahid confirmed that Murtaza Yaqoob, Ihtesham Aslam and Abdur Rahman, along with physiotherapist Waqas, had gone to the Netherlands and Poland last month for the Nations Cup.
Players seek asylum in Europe
After the entire team returned home, the PHF announced a training camp for the Asian Champions Trophy but the three players informed the federation that due to some domestic issues, they would not be able to attend the camp. Later the PHF got to know that they had flown to Holland once again on the same visas issued to the team and sought political asylum.
The three players and the physio made an attempt to slip away without the knowledge of the federation and hence they were banned from life. Mujahid said it was a “disappointing” episode for Pakistan hockey, which would make it difficult to apply for visas to European countries for international competitions.
He said that the PHF Congress had approved the lifetime ban and asked the PHF president to make efforts through the Pakistan consulate to bring them back for disciplinary action.
“We have already notified the interior and foreign ministries for further action,” he added.
The former Olympian acknowledged that while the PHF’s financial situation was challenging and that players had faced delays in their travel allowances and daily subsistence payments, these issues did not justify abandoning the national team and bringing disrepute to the country. Meanwhile, the rest of the team members have flown to China for the Asian Champions Trophy training camp.
(With PTI inputs)
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Thursday banned three hockey players and a physiotherapist for life for seeking asylum in a European country. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
