Olympian Qamar Zia?s mediation offer to PHF
KARACHI: Former Olympian goalkeeper Qamar Zia expressing concern over what he called crisis-like situation facing the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) after banning two former Olympians Naved Alam and Mansoor Ahmed for life and offered his services for mediation.
Expressing his views in the ?Media Talk? programme, organized by the Sports Journalists Association of Sindh (SJAS), here on Wednesday, Qamar Zia, who is also member of World Cup and Champions Trophy gold medalist Pakistan team, said that PHF hierarchy instead of working for the betterment of national game was allegedly being involved in various types of controversies and the latest example of imposing life ban on Naved Alam and Mansoor Ahmed. He said that with the support of as many as 15 to 20 former Olympians he had decided to launch the crisis resolving mission to pull the hockey out of controversies.
?When the campaign against former President PHF Mir Zafarullah Jamali was initiated, I was the part of that movement along with other Olympians but witnessing the PHF?s confrontation with Olympians, I cannot play the role of silent spectator,? Qamar Zia said and added without unity in the ranks of Olympians, Pakistan hockey cannot flourish.
He alleged that the PHF Executive Board had taken hasty decision of imposing life ban on Naved Alam and Mansoor Ahmed. Instead, their cases should have been forwarded to a three-member disciplinary committee, a normal practice which is in vogue. ?The ban on them is uncalled for and it has invited the National Assembly Standing Committee for sports and other forums to resolve hockey disputes.
Qamar Zia was of the view that hockey disputes must be resolved by hockey related persons including Olympians themselves. He also appealed to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, who is also Patron-in-Chief of PHF to support his crisis resolving mission by constituting a committee comprising former Olympians to overcome the present hockey crisis.
He claimed that he was a non-controversial figure in hockey circle as he never aspire to get any position in PHF and hoped that the PHF top brass and former Olympians would come forward and welcome his move. ?The PHF is getting involved in one after other controversy in each passing day.
PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa had termed the former Olympians as ?spent force?, those, who were working for the improvement of sport were removed from their positions while a new controversy erupted when an allegation of ?human smuggling? was levelled against PHF Secretary. ?These disputes have caused irreparable damage to the national hockey and because of them popularity of national game is decreasing.
Earlier, SJAS Secretary Rashid Ali Siddiqui informed the media that the second porgramme of their association was necessitated due to prevailing situation of hockey. He said that national media has strong desire that past hockey glory should be revived. Sardar Khan, President SJAS introduced Qamar Zia while highlighting his achievements in the field of hockey. (Ends)
KARACHI: Former Olympian goalkeeper Qamar Zia expressing concern over what he called crisis-like situation facing the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) after banning two former Olympians Naved Alam and Mansoor Ahmed for life and offered his services for mediation.
Expressing his views in the ?Media Talk? programme, organized by the Sports Journalists Association of Sindh (SJAS), here on Wednesday, Qamar Zia, who is also member of World Cup and Champions Trophy gold medalist Pakistan team, said that PHF hierarchy instead of working for the betterment of national game was allegedly being involved in various types of controversies and the latest example of imposing life ban on Naved Alam and Mansoor Ahmed. He said that with the support of as many as 15 to 20 former Olympians he had decided to launch the crisis resolving mission to pull the hockey out of controversies.
?When the campaign against former President PHF Mir Zafarullah Jamali was initiated, I was the part of that movement along with other Olympians but witnessing the PHF?s confrontation with Olympians, I cannot play the role of silent spectator,? Qamar Zia said and added without unity in the ranks of Olympians, Pakistan hockey cannot flourish.
He alleged that the PHF Executive Board had taken hasty decision of imposing life ban on Naved Alam and Mansoor Ahmed. Instead, their cases should have been forwarded to a three-member disciplinary committee, a normal practice which is in vogue. ?The ban on them is uncalled for and it has invited the National Assembly Standing Committee for sports and other forums to resolve hockey disputes.
Qamar Zia was of the view that hockey disputes must be resolved by hockey related persons including Olympians themselves. He also appealed to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, who is also Patron-in-Chief of PHF to support his crisis resolving mission by constituting a committee comprising former Olympians to overcome the present hockey crisis.
He claimed that he was a non-controversial figure in hockey circle as he never aspire to get any position in PHF and hoped that the PHF top brass and former Olympians would come forward and welcome his move. ?The PHF is getting involved in one after other controversy in each passing day.
PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa had termed the former Olympians as ?spent force?, those, who were working for the improvement of sport were removed from their positions while a new controversy erupted when an allegation of ?human smuggling? was levelled against PHF Secretary. ?These disputes have caused irreparable damage to the national hockey and because of them popularity of national game is decreasing.
Earlier, SJAS Secretary Rashid Ali Siddiqui informed the media that the second porgramme of their association was necessitated due to prevailing situation of hockey. He said that national media has strong desire that past hockey glory should be revived. Sardar Khan, President SJAS introduced Qamar Zia while highlighting his achievements in the field of hockey. (Ends)
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