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The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has again requested the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to extend for another month the already extended deadline so that the Green Shirts may feature in the Hockey event of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014.

Gen. Arif wrote: “I assure you this would go a long way in keeping the interest of the  players of Hockey in Pakistan supreme and we would be satisfied that we have tried our best and left no stone unturned in this regard. If, in a month, we are unable to do so, you may take any decision as deemed appropriate by you.” 

This personal letter was dispatched through electronic mail on August 16, and was addressed to the CGF Chief Executive Officer Mike Hooper. The communication was essential because the previous CGF deadline expired on August 16, and was made exactly on the date after awaiting the PHF’s communication.

Gen Arif Hasan, who is also President CGA Pakistan, has requested the CGF to extend the deadline for another month, from the day of the said letter.

To keep the FIH in the loop, the letter has also been copied by the same electronic mail to the world body’s officials, CEO, Kelly Fairweather, and Director of Sport, David Luckes.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), in a vain effort to sidestep and further undermine the POA, had tried to directly submit its Letter of Intent to the CGF. The CGF had promptly rebuffed it by asking the PHF secretary to route his communication through the POA; this CGF instruction was not complied – hence the request for another extension of the extension.

“I do not understand as to what comes first for the PHF: the interest of Pakistan Hockey, its international image, its future assignments, its players’ professional and personal welfare or aimless petty and personal agendas”, said Gen. Arif.  

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The complete text of the letter:

The POA President wrote:

“In response to your email, the CGF's letter of 2 August 2013 asking us (NOC Pakistan) to confirm by 16 August our intent in the participation in the Team Sport of Hockey and in continuation to our discussion on the subject, I would like to hereby confirm the NOC's intent to participate.

“As we had discussed, you are well aware of the situation prevailing in Pakistan. I am also cognizant of the fact that the organisers are working under a tight timeline as they have to finalise the pools and the draws by a certain date. However in the interest of the athletes and the game of Hockey in Pakistan I had put in a special request for your kind consideration.

“While we have confirmed our intent to participate in the team event of Hockey, we had requested you give us the flexibility to re-confirm in a month from today our final position in this connection.

“I assure you this would go a long way in keeping the interest of the  players of Hockey in Pakistan supreme and we would be satisfied that we have tried our best and left no stone unturned in this regard. If, in a month, we are unable to do so, you may take any decision as deemed appropriate by you.”