Sulky Pakistan hockey team flies for World Cup qualifiers under a banned coach

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Mumbai, Feb 24 (IANS) A disgruntled Pakistan hockey team left for Egypt for World Cup qualifiers under a head coach banned for life over his blunder in the last global event the team played, a news report said on Tuesday.

The players are not happy with the interim arrangements for the team as the federation has not arranged for a foreign coach and instead appointed a Pakistani coach who was banned for life in 2023, Telecom Asia Sport said in a report.

“Pakistan hockey players led by Ammad Butt are not happy with the interim arrangements of the team as they wanted Dutchman Roelant Oltmans as the head coach, but the new interim head of national hockey appointed Khawaja Junaid, who was banned for life in 2023,” sources told www.telecomasia.net.

The interim president, Mohiyuddin Wani, listened to the players but advised them to go with Junaid as there was not enough time to appoint Oltmans for the World Cup Qualifiers, the report said, quoting sources.

The report claimed that skipper Ammad Butt contacted Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Moshin Naqvi to intervene, but he did not respond as he was busy with some work as the Interior Minister.

“Since most of the appointments in the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and in the team are political, Naqvi kept himself away from that. Naqvi is not very popular in the Muslim League (Nawaz), which heads the coalition government, while Naqvi has the backing of the Pakistan People’s Party,” said sources.

In 2023, Junaid was banned for life from taking part in hockey activities after an inquiry committee held him responsible for the national side’s unceremonious ouster from the 2022 Asia Cup following an eight-month investigation.

Pakistan were knocked out of the tournament after Junaid Manzoor’s equaliser in a crucial encounter against Japan was ruled out due to the presence of an extra player on the field. The Telecom Asia Sport report said the result, 2-3 in Japan’s favour, confirmed Pakistan’s elimination from the Asia Cup — with the team needing at least a draw to go through — as well as ended their chances of qualifying for the World Cup 2022.

Pakistan, a four-time World Champions, is going through a tough time with their hockey team failing to qualify for the 2022 and 2014 World Cups, while they finished 12th and last in the 2010 edition in India and 12th in a 16-team competition in 2018 in India. Junaid has various stints as Pakistan’s hockey coach, but never succeeded in guiding Pakistan to a major title. He has a close affiliation with the PML leaders.

The interim arrangements were made after the Pakistan team was left in the lurch in Canberra, where the players claimed they were not put up in a proper hotel. Skipper Butt even claimed that hed to struggled to get the players’ daily allowance,s which was less than the amount approved by the Pakistan Sports Board for foreign tours.

–IANS

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The 24-year-old Minakshi joined Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), who won the final against Poland’s Julia Szermeta, to win India’s first gold medal in Liverpool late on Saturday night (IST).

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Jaismine (57kg) registered an identical 4:1 verdict against Poland’s Szermeta, the Paris Olympics silver medalist, in the final to become the first Indian to win a gold medal at the World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool.

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BCB bans women’s selector Monjurul Islam over sexual harassment allegations by Jahanara Alam

New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has barred former international cricketer Monjurul Islam from any direct or indirect involvement in cricket activities under its authority following an inquiry into allegations of misconduct.

The decision, announced after a board meeting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday, was based on the findings of an Independent Inquiry Committee formed to investigate a complaint filed by former Bangladesh women’s captain Jahanara Alam. She had accused Monjurul of sexual assault during the 2022 World Cup.

According to the board, the inquiry reviewed four allegations made by Alam. While two claims could not be substantiated due to insufficient evidence, the committee found prima facie proof of inappropriate conduct in the remaining two.

Monjurul, who previously served as selector and manager of the women’s team, completed his contractual tenure with the BCB on June 30, 2025. The committee observed that his behaviour did not meet professional standards and fell within the definition of misconduct and harassment under relevant Supreme Court guidelines.

“Based on the findings of the Independent Inquiry Committee formed by the BCB to examine the complaint lodged by former Bangladesh Women’s National Team Captain Jahanara Alam, the Board has decided to impose a ban on former national cricketer Monjurul Islam from all forms of direct or indirect employment and/or cricket-related activities under the jurisdiction of the Bangladesh Cricket Board,” the board stated, confirming the allegations.

“The BCB is reviewing the recommendations of the Committee and will take any additional measures deemed necessary in light of the report,” the board’s statement added.

Additionally, the board approved the schedule for the inaugural edition of the Women’s Bangladesh Premier League, which will be held from April 4 to 14, 2026, across Dhaka and Chattogram.

The BCB also confirmed a one-month extension for national selection panel chairman Gazi Ashraf Hossain, whose term was set to expire on February 28. The extension will allow the board time to identify his successor and restructure the selection panel.

“In view of his intention to step down at the end of his tenure as Chairman National Selection Panel, the Board has decided to offer a one-month extension to Gazi Ashraf Hossain. During this period, the Board will work on finding his successor and reorganisation of the panel,” the BCB said.

–IAN

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