ID :
201968
Wed, 08/17/2011 - 17:36
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https://www.oananews.org//node/201968
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Sports Hockey Rule changes affect India, Pakistan: Rehan Butt
Mumbai, August 17, 2011 (PPI): Constant changes in rules of field hockey have "affected performance of former giants of the game - India and Pakistan - while benefiting the Europeans the most," according to ace Pakistan forward Rehan Butt.
"The rules of the game are constantly being chopped and changed by the strong European lobby. They have removed the off side rule and have also done away with the rule, which penalised 'turning'. Such rule changes have been done to the detriment of India and Pakistan," Butt was quoted as saying on Wednesday by Press Trust of India PTI news agency.
Butt pointed out that officials from neither India nor Pakistan are strong enough to prevent change of rules from being implemented at the international level. "European lobby is very strong", said 31-year-old striker, who was a member of Pakistan team that won Champions Trophy bronze medal for three straight years - 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Butt, who is one of Pakistan players signed up by Nimbus Sport & Indian Hockey Federation joint promoters of upcoming World Series Hockey, said the tournament was very important for his career. "It is a very important tournament for me," said former Pakistan skipper, who would be leading one of eight teams in competition to be held from December 15, 2011 to January 22, 2012 in eight cities across India.
About reports in Pakistan that senior players like he and Sohail Abbas were being eased out of national team for next month's Asian Champions Trophy, he said he and penalty corner ace had themselves requested for a break after playing continuously. "I, Sohail Abbas and Salman Akbar have requested for a break after having played continuously. We want to be given a rest for Asian Champions Trophy (in China). But I am available for four-nation tournament in India next month."
The four-nation tournament is to be played immediately after the ACT, from September 19-26, and is seen as a good preparation by Pakistan Hockey Federation for December's Champions Trophy, also to be hosted by India.
About foreign coaches being recruited by India & Pakistan, who once ruled the game, Butt said it was seen as a necessity as "there is too much politics in the game in both India and Pakistan."
He did not think there would be any problem for him in getting permission from PHF to play in the WSH, which is not conducted by Hockey India, whom International Hockey Federation (FIH) recognizes. "I don't expect any problems in getting permission from PHF," said frontliner who has represented his country in last two Olympics and World Cups. On how long he intends to play, Butt said, "at least till the 2012 London Olympics."
"The rules of the game are constantly being chopped and changed by the strong European lobby. They have removed the off side rule and have also done away with the rule, which penalised 'turning'. Such rule changes have been done to the detriment of India and Pakistan," Butt was quoted as saying on Wednesday by Press Trust of India PTI news agency.
Butt pointed out that officials from neither India nor Pakistan are strong enough to prevent change of rules from being implemented at the international level. "European lobby is very strong", said 31-year-old striker, who was a member of Pakistan team that won Champions Trophy bronze medal for three straight years - 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Butt, who is one of Pakistan players signed up by Nimbus Sport & Indian Hockey Federation joint promoters of upcoming World Series Hockey, said the tournament was very important for his career. "It is a very important tournament for me," said former Pakistan skipper, who would be leading one of eight teams in competition to be held from December 15, 2011 to January 22, 2012 in eight cities across India.
About reports in Pakistan that senior players like he and Sohail Abbas were being eased out of national team for next month's Asian Champions Trophy, he said he and penalty corner ace had themselves requested for a break after playing continuously. "I, Sohail Abbas and Salman Akbar have requested for a break after having played continuously. We want to be given a rest for Asian Champions Trophy (in China). But I am available for four-nation tournament in India next month."
The four-nation tournament is to be played immediately after the ACT, from September 19-26, and is seen as a good preparation by Pakistan Hockey Federation for December's Champions Trophy, also to be hosted by India.
About foreign coaches being recruited by India & Pakistan, who once ruled the game, Butt said it was seen as a necessity as "there is too much politics in the game in both India and Pakistan."
He did not think there would be any problem for him in getting permission from PHF to play in the WSH, which is not conducted by Hockey India, whom International Hockey Federation (FIH) recognizes. "I don't expect any problems in getting permission from PHF," said frontliner who has represented his country in last two Olympics and World Cups. On how long he intends to play, Butt said, "at least till the 2012 London Olympics."
