Hockey India ask Pak federation to submit an unconditional apology

Recently, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Shahbaz Ahmad had said that the 2014 Champions Trophy semifinal incident in Bhubaneswar was the prime reason for Pakistan missing at the Junior World Cup in Lucknow. In the aftermath of the statement, RP Singh, the athlete representative on the Executive Board of Hockey India, said that it’s a shame that Pakistan again raised the same issue of their players’ unprofessional behaviour as an excuse for their incompetence.

"In light of this and the perpetual lies told by Pakistan Hockey Federation to blame others for their own inefficiencies, Hockey India has again taken the decision to not play any bi-lateral series against Pakistan unless they submit an unconditional regret in writing for the lewd and unprofessional behaviour of the Pakistan team during the FIH Champions Trophy 2014 and their habit of telling perpetual lies to media regarding Hockey India.

"We once again reiterate that Pakistan Hockey Federation should learn to take responsibility for their incompetence and incapabilities and stop blaming India to please their local audience. It is high time Pakistan Hockey Federation learns to work as an Organisation and stops blaming others for their own internal problems," Singh said via a Hockey India Press release.

The PHF had failed to submit the visa applications for their team 60 days prior to the start of the tournament, thus failing to play in the Junior World Cup in Lucknow. 

"The Pakistan Hockey Federation failed to submit the visa applications for their team 60 days prior to the start of the tournament as per the required deadlines as stipulated in the permissions of the Government of India....Since Pakistan Hockey Federation failed to adhere to the deadlines for the submission of their visa's, Hockey India cannot be blamed for the consequent rejection of invitation by FIH," a statement from Hockey India said.

"FIH also sent numerous reminders for (sic) Pakistan Hockey Federation for the submission of the Pakistan teams visa, the decision of FIH to withdraw the Pakistan Hockey team from the Hockey Junior World Cup 2016 was solely at their discretion and has nothing to do with Hockey India, " he concluded.