We hope India field a strong side in World Cup: Pak selector

LAHORE: Pakistan Hockey chief selector Hasan Sardar on Tuesday hoped that the players’ revolt in India would die down and the hosts would be able to field their frontline squad in next month’s World Cup in Delhi.

“The World Cup is being held in New Delhi and naturally it would be good for Indian hockey if their best players took part in the competition and not a second string side,” Sardar said.

The former Olympian also said that Pakistan Hockey was fortunate that such kind of events are not taking place.

“It is fortunate that we are not facing the sort of problem India is facing today because of the pay dispute between their players and their federation,” Sardar added.

Another former Olympian, Mansoor Ahmed feels that the boycott of the world cup preparatory camp by the Indian players was fully justified.

“In the sub-continent, unfortunately, hockey is still treated as a completely amateur sport and players can’t pursue this sport as a career option.

“Obviously there is a need to improve the players financial status when there are pressing demands to perform well at the international level,” Mansoor said.

He said the hockey federations should try to reduce the disparity between the earnings of the hockey players with other sports, if subcontinent was to regain its lost glory in world hockey.