Karachi: The Commonwealth Games Association has made it clear that Pakistan hockey team would not be allowed to take part in the event unless its entry is routed through the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) headed by Arif Hasan.
In a strong warning, the CW body said that since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) only recognized the POA led by Arif Hasan only its entries would be accepted for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow next year.
"The CW body has made this very clear Tuesday that it will not accept any entries through the illegal POA body formed by the Pakistan Sports Board," an official of the Arif Hasan group said. The Pakistan Hockey Federation finds itself in an awkward position since it is funded by the government and recognizes the POA body whose elections were held by the PSB recently.
Although Arif Hasan had asked the PHF to send its confirmation for the Commonwealth Games through it but the PHF routed the matter to the PSB and sought its advice. The latest rift between the parallel bodies of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has already taken a heavy toll on sports in Pakistan.
The IOC last week made it clear it also didn't recognize the National Games organized by the parallel POA in Islamabad in June. So far only shooting, wrestling, weightlifting, swimming, rugby and boxing bodies have sent their entries for the Commonwealth Games through the Arif Hasan led POA.
A top PSB official said they had taken up the matter of participation in the CWG to higher authorities including the foreign ministry. "It is a must for us to take permission from the government," he said.
PHF secretary, Asif Bajwa said they are desperate to take part in the CWG and are hopeful that the government will find solutions to send the hockey team to Glasgow.
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