LAHORE - The Common Wealth Games Federation (CGF) has given a time frame of two weeks on the issue of Pakistan hockey's participation in the Commonwealth Games 2014 at Glasgow.
“The POA has been able to get another two weeks for the submission of the expression of interest and we are confident to get a positive reply from Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) regarding participation of our team in the Games,” said IOC-backed Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) spokesman here on Tuesday.
He said the POA president Lt Gen (R) Syed Arif Hasan spoke personally to CGF CEO Mike Hooper on the phone. “The intent being that our national game should not be denied participation in a most prestigious international event,” he said.
The CGF has informed that they will issue a formal invitation which will be received by the POA by August 2, with the deadline for the PHF to finally make up its mind whether it wants to participate or abstain by August 16. Both these communications will be with the POA/CGA and no other organisation.
After the discussion on the phone the CGA followed it up through an email asking for a confirmation, in writing, of what was discussed. The POA responded immediately through a return email to Mike Hooper confirming the same stating, “As indicated to you during our conversation, the POA is definitely interested in participating in the Men's Hockey competition at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. We await your formal invitation on the receipt of which we will once again follow up with the Pakistan Hockey Federation to confirm or otherwise.”
If the Pakistan hockey team participates in the event, it will afford it a superb opportunity to test its squad for the 2016 Olympic Games by pitting against some of the best talent in the world like Australia, England, New Zealand, Malaysia, India and South Africa. “We hope the PHF will respond in a positive manner and keep the interest of Pakistan hockey above everything else and rise above for the good of the national game," he said.
“It by now should be obvious to everyone that the POA has literally gone out on a limb to maintain the window of opportunity for the PHF only for the sake of the interest of hockey –and also keeping in view the national prestige,” he concluded.