Former captain to appear before PHF disciplinary committee

Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Saqlain will appear before the national hockey federation`s

disciplinary committee today to respond to the charges levelled against him for violating players` code of conduct. The disciplinary committee issued a show-cause notice to Saqlain for giving statements to media accusing the Pakistan Hockey Federation of mismanagement and double standards after he was overlooked in the list of 31 probables called up for the World Cup qualifying round. Chief selector Hasan Sardar said that the experienced centre-half was no longer an asset for the team as his reflex had slowed down while the PHF senior officials have advised Saqlain to take up a coaching assignment with the national junior team. Saqlain, who was dropped from the 2002 Olympic team after having a brawl with a teammate in the training camp and has a past of disciplinary issues, has accused PHF of pressurising him to announce retirement. "Yes, we have received a reply from Saqlain today to the show cause notice that was issued to him and he has not apologised. In fact, he has asked PHF to come up with evidence showing that he violated his contract with the federation," a PHF spokesman said. "He wants the federation to furnish evidence about his alleged violations," the spokesman said. The PHF hierarchy in recent weeks has been involved in disputes with its former senior players. Former Olympian Mansoor Ahmed and national team coach Naved Alam were handed life ban last month for accusing secretary Asif Bajwa and other officials of running a human trafficking racket. The players` allegations are being investigated by the Federal Investigation Agency and a parliamentary committee. Bureau Report