Excluded from Junior Hockey World Cup, PHF mulls legal action against FIH

Karachi: International Hockey Federation's decision to expel Pakistan from the Junior World Cup being held in India from December 8 to 18 has not got down well with Pakistan Hockey Federation as they are mulling to take legal action against the governing body.

The PHF is considering filing a case with the Court of Arbitration for Sports in Geneva against the head sporting body.

As per a report by PTI, a reliable source in the federation said that consultations with legal experts have already started, and people who specialise in the field of sports management and disputes have a task at hand. PHF also claimed that they have spent millions of rupees on preparing its national junior side and FIH's decision to not allow them from competing in the World Cup taking place in India.

The source reportedly claimd, "Nothing is decided as yet but it could happen. Because the PHF is clear that the FIH which is headed by an Indian, Narender Batra has dealt unjustly with it."

Citing the prime reason to drop Pakistan from participating along with the 16 teams in the mega event, FIH said that PHF had not fulfilled confirmation requirements before the given deadline for teams. Malaysia has secued a place in the tournament, as Pakistan's replacement.

PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmad briefed the national assembly standing committee on sports on the situation after assessing that the Indian High Commission didn't issue visas for the hockey contingent.

Shahbaz assured the committee that all legal and rightful steps will be executed against FIH's decision since they had the right to play in the World Cup after securing sucessful qualification.

"We are not going to take this lying down. It is unfair with us and has hurt our hockey," he told the committee members.

Ahmad also confirmed that PHF had sent passports of Pakistani players and officials to the Indian High Commission on November 16 but FIH' argument was that the Pakistani nationals had to apply for visas atleast six weeks in advance.