The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has imposed a lifetime ban on three hockey players and a physiotherapist ahead of the Asian Champions Trophy, which will be played in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia in China from September 8 to 17, 2024. The PHF banned players and physio for attempting to seek asylum in a European country after slipping away without the knowledge of the federation.
PHF secretary-general Rana Mujahid revealed that players Murtaza Yaqoob, Ihtesham Aslam, and Abdur Rahman, along with physio Waqas, were part of the national team that toured Holland and Poland for the Nations’ Cup last month and they didn't attend the national training camp in Islamabad for the Asian Champions Trophy.
"When the team returned home and we announced a training camp for the Asian Champions Trophy, the three informed us that due to domestic issues they wouldn't be able to attend the camp," Mujahid was quoted as saying by PTI News Agency.
"Later we came to know that they had flown out to Holland once again on the same Schengen visas issued to the team and sought political asylum there," he added.
According to Mujahid, it's a "disappointing" development for Pakistan hockey, which would make it difficult to apply for visas to European countries for international competitions.
The 53-year-old also mentioned that the PHF Congress had approved the lifetime ban and asked the PHF president to make efforts through the Pakistan consulate to bring them back for disciplinary action.
"We have already notified the interior and foreign ministries for further action," Mujahid added.
Mujahid, who is a former Olympian acknowledged that while the PHF's financial situation was challenging and that players had faced delays in their travel allowances and daily subsistence payments, these issues did not justify abandoning the national team and bringing disrepute to the country.