Former Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh has reacted strongly to Hockey India (HI) president Narinder Batra's demand for an apology for the obscene behaviour of the Pakistan players during the Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar last year.
Shahnaz, as reported by Pakistan's Daily Times, has said there's no need to apologise and that it’s better to give India a fitting reply whenever the two teams next meet on the hockey pitch.
“I am disappointed by the statement of Batra. He is a nice man. I don’t know who is dictating him to say such things. Pakistan and India can only solve the problems of hockey if they play a bilateral series,” Shahnaz told reporters in Pakistan.
Batra was speaking in Delhi on Monday at a launch event of the Hockey India League (HIL) 2016, which will once again not see any participation of the Pakistan players. The HI President blamed it on Pakistan's refusal to show any regret for the incident and tensions at the Line of Control.
“I would love to have Pakistan players but not with the kind of behaviour they displayed in the Champions Trophy. And they have shown no regret of that incident in writing or otherwise...Least we need an apology from them,” Batra had said.
But Shahnaz, who was the coach of the Pakistan team when the incident took place, said it's best to answer on the hockey pitch.
“Pakistan will reply India in the ground now. And we did reply them in India when we beat them at home. And what are the Indians complaining about? The FIH punished our players for their mistake but Indian spectators pointed fingers and chanted abuses at me and my players, what about that?,” he said.
“I met Indian players in Belgium [during FIH World League semis] and they were optimistic that Pakistan players will be invited to the Hockey India League this year. They think that Pakistan players bring with them quality and it is good for commercial aspects too,” Shahnaz added.
He went on to say that India are acting as bad losers.
"Indian hockey is not able to digest the loss against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. So they are twisting that case further. The FIH took action on the matter then and there and Pakistan players were barred from the next match, the final, which we lost,” he said.
The former coach went to make an ambitious suggestion of Pakistan starting a hockey league of its own and invite Indian players to set an example.
“I would suggest that the Pakistan Hockey Federation should start its own league and invite Indian players to participate in the tournament. This would send a message that we are not like them,” he concluded.
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