Pakistan Hockey Federation has amended its constitution to impose penalties upto five years ban in case of a player's participation in a non-sanctioned tournament of International Hockey Federation. This was stated by Secretary, PHF, Mohammad Asif Bajwa at a news conference after meetings of Congress and Executive Board held under the Chairmanship of President, PHF, Qasim Zia on Monday at national hockey stadium.
"The amendment will equally be applicable on domestic level and any activity which will be organised without getting prior permission from PHF will be dealt in accordance with the amended clause of article 5.4 ",he said.
He said the amendment has been made in line with a direction of FIH which clearly states that any international activity in any part of world without the approval of FIH will be considered as a illegal hockey event and players, coaches, and umpires taking part in it will face punishment sanctioned by their respective hockey federations.
When asked the nature of the punishment he said it could very case to case and can be upto five years ban and a fine.
"Through this amended we will be able to restrict the participation of players in non-sanctioned tournaments of FIH and will also ensure that illegal hockey tournaments do not take place in Pakistan ",he asserted.
Bawja said the meetings were attended by 78 members, out of 93 house and a number of decisions were taken for the betterment of the game.
He said the house also approved to initiate legal action against those former olympians or players who are involved in a propaganda of defaming the national federation by levelling allegations of human trafficking by the officials of PHF or their associates.
"We will soon be starting legal proceedings against such individuals without taking into consideration their status", he said adding "We are open to positive criticism for the betterment of PHF and Pakistan hockey and we will not tolerate such baseless allegations and will seek justice from the court to protect the dignity of the PHF ".
He said the house approved a budget of Rs 480 million for the years 2012 as the national federation faces a deficit of Rs 220 million.
Qasim Zia assured the house that he would generate necessary funds to meet the shortfall. " I have done my best efforts to make PHF financially viable during the past three years by generating adequate funds to meet the ever growing needs of the national hockey federation ", he added.
The house offered " fateha " for the departed soul of former President PHF, Air Marshal retd Noor Khan and paid glowing tributes to his services rendered for the cause of hockey.
On the proposal of the PresidentPHF, it was decided to launch Noor Khan best player of the year trophy and a cash prize of Rs 100,000 each for the men and women players. The house also acknowledged the services of late Secretary, PHF, Brigadier retd H M Atif and decided to introduce Brigadier Atif trophy and a cash award of Rs 50000 each for the junior men and women players of the year.
Asif Bajwa said the house constituted, disciplinary, finance and competition committees for the smooth functioning of PHF.
The national junior championship, he said, would be played from January 10-25 and the competition committee was given the task to finalise its venue and the dates of the other national events to be held during year 2012.