TOI Sports Desk
Three Pakistan hockey players and a physiotherapist have been banned for life after attempting to seek asylum in Europe during the Nations Cup in the Netherlands and Poland last month.
The players—Murtaza Yaqoob, Ihtesham Aslam, and Abdur Rahman — along with physiotherapist Waqas slipped away without the knowledge of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).
“When the team returned home and we announced a training camp for the Asian Champions Trophy, the three informed us that due to domestic issues they wouldn’t be able to attend the camp,” PHF secretary-general Rana Mujahid said on Thursday, confirming the incident.
“Later we came to know that they had flown out to Holland once again on the same Schengen visas issued to the team and sought political asylum there,” he added.
Mujahid termed the episode “disappointing” for Pakistan hockey. He emphasized that this situation would complicate the process of applying for visas to European countries for future international competitions.
He added the ban for life was approved by the PHF Congress and efforts are being made to get the players deported.
“We have already notified the interior and foreign ministries for further action,” he added.
The former Olympian acknowledged that while the PHF’s financial situation was tough and that players faced delays in their travel allowances and daily subsistence payments, these issues did not justify their actions.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges within Pakistan hockey and raises questions about the future of international participation for the team.
The players—Murtaza Yaqoob, Ihtesham Aslam, and Abdur Rahman — along with physiotherapist Waqas slipped away without the knowledge of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).
“When the team returned home and we announced a training camp for the Asian Champions Trophy, the three informed us that due to domestic issues they wouldn’t be able to attend the camp,” PHF secretary-general Rana Mujahid said on Thursday, confirming the incident.
“Later we came to know that they had flown out to Holland once again on the same Schengen visas issued to the team and sought political asylum there,” he added.
Mujahid termed the episode “disappointing” for Pakistan hockey. He emphasized that this situation would complicate the process of applying for visas to European countries for future international competitions.
He added the ban for life was approved by the PHF Congress and efforts are being made to get the players deported.
“We have already notified the interior and foreign ministries for further action,” he added.
The former Olympian acknowledged that while the PHF’s financial situation was tough and that players faced delays in their travel allowances and daily subsistence payments, these issues did not justify their actions.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges within Pakistan hockey and raises questions about the future of international participation for the team.