IHF claims Pak hockey officials, players happy with PHL

Chandigarh, Mar 5 (UNI) Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) secretary general K Jyothikumaran today claimed that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) was quite happy over the participation of Pakistani players in the Premier Hockey League (PHL), the third edition of which was conducted in Chennai and Chandigarh this year.

Mr Jyothikumaran was reacting to a report published in a Pakistan newspaper that participation in PHL was taking its toll on the Pakistani players as they were beginning to suffer from isolation and psychological problems, thereby proving that the PHF policy of sending senior players across the border was on unproductive exercise.

The IHF official said the Pakistani hockey officials had categorically denied the media report.

PHF secretary general had not received any report from former Pakistan captain Hanif Khan who was sent to India as one of the touring managers to observe the players who are playing in the seven-team league in Chennai and Chandigarh, Mr Jyotikumaran said.

Quoting PHF secretary general Akhtar Ul Islam, Mr Jyotikumaran said, ''Hanif Khan did tell the PHF official that the Pakistani players were performing below their standard and the rest is just kite flying.'' The IHF secretary general said the Pakistan officials and the players were quite happy with participation in the PHL.

''Both federations had also discussed Indian players' participation in the Pakistan Hockey League. Modalities are being worked out for Indian players taking part in the Pakistan Hockey League and the forthcoming Indo-Pak hockey series,'' he said.

Reacting to Pakistan goalkeeper Salman Akbar's comments that the Indo-Pak series was of no use and instead Indian and Pakistani palyers should be exposed to European teams, Mr Jyotikumaran said ''ask the Pakistan officials on Indo-Pak series. They (Pakistan) are happy with the planned series between the two countries.'' Salman, who is representing Orissa Steelers in the PHL, had earlier in the day advocated more exposure for sub-continental players to the European brand of hockey.

Regarding Salman's assertion that language was a problem during the Chennai leg of the PHL, Mr Jyotikumaran said ''players play in different countries and language is never a barrier for them.'' Regarding the standard of umpiring in PHL, especially in the first final, the IHF secretary general said ''We wanted to bring umpires from European countries but it was not possible this time''.

Paramjeet Singh and Amarjeet Singh were neutral umpires from Malaysia while Indian umpires Satinder Sharma and V B Singh did a good job in the second final in the PHL.

UNI