What Happened: The Pakistan Hockey Federation has banned three players and a physiotherapist for life after they attempted to seek asylum in Europe without authorization.
What you need to know: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has handed lifetime bans to three national players—Murtaza Yaqoob, Ihtesham Aslam, and Abdur Rahman—as well as a physiotherapist named Waqas, after they attempted to seek asylum in Europe during a tour in Holland and Poland for the Nations’ Cup.
What you need to know: This incident, which went unnoticed until recently, happened just before the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy. As a result, the individuals have been excluded from the national training camp for the upcoming tournament in China. PHF Secretary-General Rana Mujahid explained that the players and physiotherapist acted without the federation’s knowledge or approval, leading to their severe punishment.
More: This situation is a significant blow to the team as they prepare for the Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, from September 8 to 17, 2024. It underscores the challenges athletes face beyond their sporting careers.