Former hockey Olympians Manzoor-ul-Hasan Senior and Tauqir Dar have called on the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to take immediate action to ensure the national team’s participation in the upcoming Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia, starting November 22.
Pakistan’s Uncertain Invitation Status
Speaking to Dawn, Manzoor-ul-Hasan expressed uncertainty regarding whether the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) failed to extend an invitation or if the PHF declined it. He emphasized that Pakistan’s participation in the tournament was crucial for player development, particularly in preparation for the World Junior Cup in India later this year.
The Importance of Pakistan’s Presence
Tauqir Dar lamented Pakistan’s absence, stating that it would hurt the nation’s hockey progress and diminish the tournament’s prestige.
“Pakistan has traditionally been a regular at the Azlan Shah Cup, finishing as runners-up last year. A Pakistan-India clash would generate immense global interest,” Tauqir noted.
Strong Line-Up Without Pakistan
The 2024 Azlan Shah Cup will feature top teams, including Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, and Canada. Tauqir stressed that Pakistan needed exposure to high-ranking opponents to improve their competitive edge.
Unconfirmed Reports on Pakistan’s Exclusion
There have been speculations that Malaysia withheld the invitation due to unpaid dues by PHF, but PHF Secretary General dismissed these claims in a recent press conference.
PHF Urged to Seek Support from FIH and AHF
Both Manzoor and Tauqir urged the PHF to engage with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to secure Pakistan’s entry.
“We missed the FIH Pro League, which was a key opportunity. The Azlan Shah Cup is another vital tournament we cannot afford to miss,” Tauqir stated.
Manzoor added that the event would be an excellent platform to assess both senior and junior players ahead of major tournaments like the World Senior Qualifiers, Junior Cup, and Asia Cup.
PHF in Talks for a Last-Minute Entry
The PHF secretary general mentioned that he had been in touch with FIH President Tayyab Ikram, who is also Pakistani, to explore possibilities of securing an invitation for Pakistan.
With the tournament approaching fast, all eyes are on PHF’s next move to ensure Pakistan’s participation in this prestigious international event.
