Players to face 5-year ban for WSH participation

The Pakistan Hockey Federation, on Monday, threatened to impose five-year bans on players, who opt to play in the unsanctioned tournaments such as much-hyped World Series Hockey, planned in India.

The decision was taken at PHF's General Council meeting, where it also decided that the federation would take legal action against former Olympians who are making allegations of corruption and misuse of power against PHF officials.

"The council has unanimously agreed that all those players who defy the PHF and go and play in any tournament that is not sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation will be immediately banned for five years and would not be able to play in Pakistan," PHF President Qasim Zia said.

A number of leading Pakistani players have signed up for different teams in the lucrative WSH which has been deferred to February 2012 by the organisers who are offering handsome payments to players.

Forward Rehan Butt, former Pakistan captain Zeeshan Ashraf, half-backs Waseem Ahmed and Shakeel Abbasi, goalkeeper Salman Akbar and some other players are said to have signed deals with the WHS franchises.