- The controversy raises concerns about possible consequences for Pakistan‘s hockey standing internationally suspended by FIH.
- Bugti, a former member of Balochistan’s Provincial Assembly, assumed office on Friday, but Khokar expressed his desire to challenge the decision.
- Khokar’s administration of the PHF has come under criticism, centering on his propensity to alter decisions.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar appointed Mir Tariq Hussain Bugti as the new president, a move contested by previous president Brig (retd) Khalid Sajjad Khokar.
In a scene reminiscent of a movie script, Bugti took control of the federation’s headquarters in Lahore on Saturday, surrounded by both the police and his security personnel.
Khokar challenges new recruits President
During a news conference on Sunday, Khokar, who has been president since 2015, announced that he would challenge his removal and contest to install Mir Tariq Hussain Bugti as the new president.
The controversy raises concerns about possible consequences for Pakistan’s hockey standing internationally suspended by FIH.
“i’m able to technique the court and i’m able to not surrender until this unconstitutional and unlawful decision is overturned,” Khokar said.
The decision to appoint Bugti as president was taken by the caretaker prime minister in his role as Patron-in-Chief of the PHF.
Bugti, a former member of Balochistan’s Provincial Assembly, assumed office on Friday, but Khokar expressed his desire to challenge the decision.
The newly appointed PHF chairman has been tasked with setting up a five-member committee to manage the day-to-day affairs of the organisation. Collectively, the committee is responsible for examining the clubs and the Electoral College to establish the foundation for free and fat elections.
Upon taking charge of the PHF offices in Lahore, Bugti immediately reinstated the old national selection committee led by Olympian Kaleemullah and reinstated another player, Shahnaz Sheikh, as head coach of the senior national team.
Both the selection committee and Sheikh were fired by Khokar last month.
Khokar insisted that the FIH recognized the legal head of PHF as the legal head of PHE.
A case against the government’s decision will be filed in court on Tuesday, he said. Khokar’s administration of the PHF has come under criticism, centering on his propensity to alter decisions. Many former Olympians and critics attribute the decline in Pakistan hockey to him.
He alleges that he funded the federation and ensured its continued operations using his funds along with contributions from friends and well-wishers and that the takeover of the PHF office in Lahore was done through illegal activities.
Kokhar has been at loggerheads with the government for the past 12 months after the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) reprimanded him for failing to conduct PHF evaluations.
In response, the PSB set up a committee to oversee elections, but Kokhar convened a PHF Congress.He conducted the election independently Election and Dispute Resolution. In August, Khokar and his office staff were officially declared “suspended” by a notification issued by the PSB.
“It’d have been quality if Khokar would have acquired me and handed over the charge to me with a cup of tea,” Bugti told the media after taking the rate.
