ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Rana Mujahid has felt that participation of national team in Asian Games is in danger due to the ongoing tussle between two parallel Olympic Associations saying the government must step-in to resolve the issue.
The 17th Asian Games will be staged in Korea from September 19 to October 4, 2014, and will involve 13,000 athletes and officials from the 45 NOCs in 36 sports. Talking to a private news channel, the newly-elected PHF secretary said after missing the berth in the Commonwealth Games, the participation of the Pakistan Hockey team, in the next year's Asian Games, was also in jeopardy.
Commenting on the situation Mujahid, while putting the onus of the ongoing tussle between two parallel Olympic Associations, appealed the government to step-in. "The government provides the PHF with NOC, funds etc hence we have to follow their directives. The PHF does not favour a particular faction of the POA, however, wants to see the resolution of this confrontation,” Rana Mujahid said. Rana said the government should intervene in the matter as the deadline to submit the entry for the Asian Games is also approaching. Pakistan is the defending champion of the Asian Games. The Pakistan Olympic Association under Syed Arif Hassan recognized by International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the only channel available for Pakistan to send athletes at international events.
On the other hand, the POA led by Akram Sahi claims to be country's legitimate Olympic Association, in view of a court ruling which put restriction on a third-term for a POA office bearer. "We have apprised the Inter-provincial Coordination Minister, Riaz Hussain Pirzada of the situation who has assured the PHF of playing his part in resolving the standoff", Rana added.