Saturday, May 1, 2010

Shakeel and Rehan in conduct breach

KARACHI, (APP)- Hockey Chief selector Hanif Khan has expressed his surprise over the sharp reaction of forwards Shakeel Abbasi and Rehan Butt after their dropping from the Azlan Shah squad.
“Its breach of code of conduct and Pakistan Hockey Federation officials should deal the issue as per the regulations,” Olympian Hanif Khan told APP on Friday.
“Its is very surprising. I myself faced the same situation and was dropped from the team despite assurance from the management for selection in the national team in the past.” Hanif recalled.
“Selection has given an authority and we fulfill our job on merit, form and fitness. We consider the report of manager/chief coach etc before the finalising the team,” he said.
Hanif Muhammad implementing the code of conduct was job of PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa.
Senior players Shakeel Abbasi and Rehan Butt expressed the surprise over the dropping soon after an 18-member squad was named for the Malaysian event.
He said the performance and fitness of those dropped were not up to the mark. Abbasi, Rehan, Sohail Abbas and Nasir all failed to impress us,” he said.
However he made it clear doors are opens for all the senior players in future and they cane stage comeback provided they proved their form and fitness. “We can not comprise on form and fitness,” he said.
He said all the players looked fatigued and their performance and fitness in the World Cup was not upto the mark and same was observed in the camp.
“Keeping in situation we opt for young squad with an eye on Commonwealth and Asian Games,” he pointed out.

Associated Press of Pakistan