CGF extends deadline for hockey team’s participation

LAHORE: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) of Arif Hasan has been able to get another two weeks for submission of expression of interest regarding Pakistan hockey team’s participation in the 20th Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in Glasgow next year. The POA has informed the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) that last date for submission of expression of interest to the Commonwealth Games Federations (CGF) was last Monday (July 29), but it had managed to get it extended till Aug 16. However, the PHF, which does not accept Arif Hasan as POA president and depends on the government for financial resources with regard to sending national teams anywhere in the world, is reluctant to take any independent decision in this matter. Hence, it had made contact with the government which recognises POA parallel body led by Akram Sahi. But Sahi’s POA has no affiliation with the International Olympic Association (IOC), making participation of the hockey team in the Commonwealth Games questionable. “The POA president retired Lt Gen Syed Arif Hasan spoke personally to the CGF CEO Mike Hooper on phone. The intent being that our national game should not be denied participation in the most prestigious international event,” the POA stated in a press release. “The CGF has informed that they will issue a formal invitation which shall be received by the POA by Aug 2, with the deadline for the PHF to finally make up its mind whether it wanted to participate being Aug 16.”