Islamabad: Former Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh on Monday lashed out at the Indian Hockey League (IHL) officials for not including Pakistani players in its fourth edition, saying the politics in the neighbouring country is destroying the spirit of sports in the subcontinent.
According to reports, the Indian hockey officials have continued their anti-Pakistan campaign and have not contacted Pakistani hockey players for the IHL, following in the footsteps of its cricket board (BCCI) which has constantly snubbed the Green-shirts in the India Premier League (IPL).
In IHL, players from around the globe take part and their bidding for different franchises will be held on Sept 17 but none of the Pakistani players have been invited in the auction.
Talking to APP, Shahnaz said he cannot understand what is bothering the Indian sports bodies about Pakistani players and why they are feeling so threatened by our cricket and hockey players. “It is time they (Indian sports bodies) put an end to their immature attitude and tell Pakistan what they really want as their mindset is affecting the spirit of sports in the subcontinent,” he said.
Shahnaz added that during the World Hockey League at Belgium, he had met with the Indian hockey officials and they were very optimistic to include the Pakistani players in their league. “But now they have dumped our players which is disappointing to say the least,” he added.
The former Olympian said all players from Asia are called in for the leagues but not Pakistan which is against the spirit of sports.
“India has always given us a cold shoulder and their recent attitude is in response to their defeat against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy last year,” he said.
“Pakistan should now stop thinking about India and must move forward,” he said, adding that India is not everything and there are many other better teams waiting to play against Pakistan.
Speaking about the internal hockey affairs, Sheikh said the Inter-provincial Coordination Ministry (IPC) and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) should grant the deserved prize money to the players for their performance in the Champions Trophy and Asian Games.
He said according to the sports policy the team prize money amounts to rupees one million per player.
“IPC and PSB assured us of cash rewards and I hope we get them soon,” he said.
