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Butt blasts federation, chief selector for double standards Back To Main

29-Jan-2012
THE NEWS

THE NEWS CORRESPONDENT

KARACHI: Star player Rehan Butt on Saturday blasted Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and chief selector Hanif Khan for their ‘double standards’ when it comes to treating senior players.

“They say that Rehan Butt is not fit, but on the other hand there is their statement that injured Sohail Abbas will get fit while attending the camp. If Sohail can get fit in the camp, so can I, but I have been ignored which shows double standards,” he said while talking to ‘The News’.

Butt, who scored a brace in WAPDA’s 6-1 win over PAF in the 59th National Hockey Championship match, has been out of the team for quite sometime now despite calls from various corners that he remains good enough to play for Pakistan, which has forced PHF and the selection committee to consider his induction.

The chief selector has already admitted that juniors have failed to live up to the expectations and that Butt would be considered for national duty if he proved his fitness and sorted out the disciplinary matters.

However, Butt ridiculed this thought and said that he never had any disciplinary issue and would prove his fitness in the ongoing Championship and the following camp.

“I scored two goals out of the five to six chances that came my way today. My game will get better as the game progresses because today I was playing at my 50 percent because it was an easy match. So my best is yet to come in the event and I will prove my worth,” the 31-year-old vowed.

He added that he was bitterly disappointed by the manner he was sidelined. “There are ups and downs in everybody’s career but to push a senior player to the corner like that is just disrespectful. I was gutted with my omission and the time I have been out of the team I have not spoken to anybody about it. Nor did anybody from the federation contact me,” he revealed.

Pakistan has traditionally not treated its sports stars with respect, the recent examples being Shahid Afridi in cricket, Mohammad Essa in football, Waseem Khan in Boxing.

Olympian Butt, who is arguably the biggest star in Pakistan Hockey team, has requested the PFH and other sporting bodies to respect their star players.

“I urge all federations and sports bodies that they should treat their stars with respect because it really hurts when your performances and services over the years for country are overlooked completely,” Butt pleaded.

When asked what he thinks about his career and if London Olympics could be his last international tournament if given the chance by PHF, he said that he can play for another two years at the top level and so can other seniors who have been given the cold shoulder by the federation.