Hockey exclusion from PSB could be an oversight, says PHF president.

Byline: Mohammad Yaqoob

LAHORE -- President Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has written a letter to the federal sports minister Dr Fahmida Mirza expressing concerns over the exclusion of hockey from Pakistan Sports Board on Tuesday.

Talking to Dawn, president Brig. (retd.) Sajjad Khokhar said that the exclusion of hockey, Pakistan's national game, was surprising for everyone and suggested that it could be a result of an oversight.

Sajjad said he had pointed out the exclusion of the game which has brought many laurels for Pakistan by winning medals at Olympics, Asian Games and Champions Trophy.

It is pertinent to mention here that the federal government had reduced the early composition of the PSB from 35 members to , including two games - athletics and football, while giving no place to hockey, which had lion's share in winning medals at the world and continental level.

Hockey's situation has been worsening in Pakistan over the last two decades as it could not qualify for the last two editions of the Olympics. It could not enter the Hockey World Cup 24 either owing to poor performance. And in the last World...