Indian hockey team to skip Sultan of Johor Cup due to Pakistan presence

[Abdullah719]

NEW DELHI: The Indian men's hockey team will not take part in the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia for the second year in a row, citing the presence of Pakistan in the event to be held in October.

Hockey India said since Sultan of Johor Cup is an invitational tournament it would continue its stand of not taking part in any series against Pakistan until it tenders an unconditional apology for the 2014 Champions Trophy controversy.

Sultan of Johor Cup is an Under-21 tournament and India won the title in 2015. It is not a global event held under the aegis of world governing body FIH or any continental body.

In January, HI announced its decision not to play any tournament against Pakistan until they submit an unconditional written apology for lewd and unprofessional behaviour of the Pakistan team during the FIH Champions Trophy in India in 2014.

The matter did not end there. Ahead of the 2016 Junior World Cup in Lucknow, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) alleged that India did not want Pakistan to take part in the tournament. India had outrightly rejected the claim. Eventually, Pakistan did not take part in the Junior World Cup.

"Though Hockey India and its players had let go of the hurtful incident in 2014, it was the recent allegations by PHF (during the Junior World Cup) that has resulted in India pulling out of this tournament.

"By not fielding the Indian team at the Sultan of Johor Cup, we have stood our ground to not take part in any series against Pakistan until they submit an unconditional apology for what happened in 2014," said Hockey India spokesperson RP Singh.

"Since the Sultan of Johor Cup is not a mandatory tournament, Hockey India has decided that it will withdraw from the tournament. We had not brought up the bad behaviour on part of Pakistan during the FIH Champions Trophy in 2014 for a very long time.

"It is actually PHF who bring it up again and levy baseless allegations against Hockey India to hide their own incompetency. It is about time PHF takes responsibility for it's incapability," he added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...an-presence/articleshow/58181650.cms?from=mdr

 

[big_gamer007]

Not like I care much about hockey but what happened in 2014?

 

[hafeezrocks]

What a bunch of crybabies and whiners. Most probably they are afraid of getting beaten by Pakistan once again and hence the refusal to participate and save face. Learning from their Cricketing counterparts about how to avoid defeat and embarrassment against Pakistan by refusing to play.

 

[Third_Umpire]

Not like I care much about hockey but what happened in 2014?

same question. what happened in 2014?

 

[Balthazar]

Stupidity at best here by HI. Are they going to skip world cups too, if Pakistan plays in it?

 

[90MPH]

Serious ? It's one thing not inviting a county. It's another to stop all bilateral Ties.

But then not to participate just because they are present. Maybe they should apply this to all sports regarding Pakistan then. Upcoming champions trophy ?

No of course not, too much television money is at stake for that.

 

[Moh@n]

What a bunch of crybabies and whiners. Most probably they are afraid of getting beaten by Pakistan once again and hence the refusal to participate and save face. Learning from their Cricketing counterparts about how to avoid defeat and embarrassment against Pakistan by refusing to play.

Yeah we are really scared of the geezer brigade in your test team.

 

[Waseem]

This is actually beyond a joke, extremely childish reaction by Indian authorities. Surely they will pull out from CT as well then?

Not sure the reason though? Not happy when someone crossses the border and attacks Indians and not happy when their spy crosses the border to spread terrorism and gets caught?

 

[jusarrived]

What a bunch of crybabies and whiners. Most probably they are afraid of getting beaten by Pakistan once again and hence the refusal to participate and save face. Learning from their Cricketing counterparts about how to avoid defeat and embarrassment against Pakistan by refusing to play.

I am not in favour of the boycott , but ..
We have beat you the last 3 times and some of the matches lately have looked more like a tennis match score lines .
At the junior level which this tournament is , we are the best team in the world right now having just won the WC .

 

[PakLFC]

Nice one not that it makes any difference! I wish India would forfeit the Champions Trophy match as well giving us the points without having to pad up! They won't do that because most Pakistanis and Indians don't care about the Johar Cup like they do about the big one in June.

 

[Eye_Done]

Please skip the world as well sue to Pakistan presence here.

 

[Zak_Fan]

Never heard of it, sounds like some minnow tournament.

 

[Slog]

Not like I care much about hockey but what happened in 2014?

same question. what happened in 2014?

Pakistan beat India in CT2014 which was held in India.

throughout the match the pak players were hooted and abused by the indian crowd and after they won they went a bit overboard with pointed celebration in front of the home stand

 

[JaDed]

Makes no sense in that logic we shouldn't have played other matches against Pakistan in hockey which we played and beat them.
Poor juniors have to bear the brunt of stupid jingoistic inconsistent decisions of the sports ministry aka hockey management.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Makes no sense in that logic we shouldn't have played other matches against Pakistan in hockey which we played and beat them.
Poor juniors have to bear the brunt of stupid jingoistic inconsistent decisions of the sports ministry aka hockey management.

Just because it doesnt make sense to you (as usual), doesnt mean the move is illogical.

This is a very smart move. Keep Pakistan guessing with "she loves me, she loves me not" diplomacy.

 

[JaDed]

Just because it doesnt make sense to you (as usual), doesnt mean the move is illogical.

This is a very smart move. Keep Pakistan guessing with "she loves me, she loves me not" diplomacy.

These 21 below will have to play with senior Pakistani team someday so the logic doesn't work.

 

[IAJ]

I am amzed how much headache little Pakistan have given to the big India. Bechare bhartion ki neenden udha di hain, itni tension na liya karo, sehat key liye nuksaan-dey sabit hou sakti hai.

 

[big_gamer007]

Pakistan beat India in CT2014 which was held in India.

throughout the match the pak players were hooted and abused by the indian crowd and after they won they went a bit overboard with pointed celebration in front of the home stand

As long as they didn't show middle finger to the crowd or gave "suck it" symbols I don't see why anyone should get offended by them.. If someone rattles me for 70 minutes then after winning I would also celebrate passionately.. This whole issue seems pretty stupid and childish if this is the only reason..

 

[jusarrived]

As long as they didn't show middle finger to the crowd or gave "suck it" symbols I don't see why anyone should get offended by them.. If someone rattles me for 70 minutes then after winning I would also celebrate passionately.. This whole issue seems pretty stupid and childish if this is the only reason..

The problem is , they did exactly that

 

[big_gamer007]

The problem is , they did exactly that

Really? Then the international hockey federation whoever manages the sport should have given 5-10 games ban to he players who were involved, put a fine and everyone should have moved on.. You know how it's like in EPL or NBA if a player crosses the limit with crowds ban them for a few games and levy a fine.. Don't know what Indian hockey federation wants to achieve wanting an apology for an incident which happened 3 years ago, play them and beat them would be the best revenge..

 

[JaDed]

Really? Then the international hockey federation whoever manages the sport should have given 5-10 games ban to he players who were involved, put a fine and everyone should have moved on.. You know how it's like in EPL or NBA if a player crosses the limit with crowds ban them for a few games and levy a fine.. Don't know what Indian hockey federation wants to achieve wanting an apology for an incident which happened 3 years ago, play them and beat them would be the best revenge..

We beat them regularly after that incident,this is a 21 below tournament and our hockey federation is making this as a joke for juniors.

 

[big_gamer007]

We beat them regularly after that incident,this is a 21 below tournament and our hockey federation is making this as a joke for juniors.

So after that incident we played them and beat them? Now suddenly after 3 years they remember the incident and don't participate in a juniors tournament? Lol weirdos who put such idiots in charge?

Isn't hockey the same sport from where India was banned due to having two different organisations managing it and lot of power struggle and stuff? Or was it something else? Regardless hockey administration has been so poor over the years that from dominating he sport we have come down to hardly anyone following the sport..

 

[Slog]

As long as they didn't show middle finger to the crowd or gave "suck it" symbols I don't see why anyone should get offended by them.. If someone rattles me for 70 minutes then after winning I would also celebrate passionately.. This whole issue seems pretty stupid and childish if this is the only reason..

it a SF and heated one which ended 4-3 so emotions were high and celebrations went overboard where it seemed that they taunted the crowd. But im surprised they are still holding a grudge 3 years on

 

[Zak_Fan]

it a SF and heated one which ended 4-3 so emotions were high and celebrations went overboard where it seemed that they taunted the crowd. But im surprised they are still holding a grudge 3 years on

India had forgiven the actions of Pakistani players, and were willing to move on. But after PHF blamed it's own incompetence on India holding grudge from that match, the issue surfaced again, and this time, India was adamant on getting a formal apology. PHF refused, and hence this whole boycott.

 

[Slog]

India had forgiven the actions of Pakistani players, and were willing to move on. But after PHF blamed it's own incompetence on India holding grudge from that match, the issue surfaced again, and this time, India was adamant on getting a formal apology. PHF refused, and hence this whole boycott.

yes i get it india is never wrong in any matter in this universe

 

[Zak_Fan]

yes i get it india is never wrong in any matter in this universe

Give your jingoism a break here, and see my post for what it is. You were surprised that India holds grudge even today, and I let know that this whole matter surfaced again due to PHF bringing it up to hide it's own incompetence.

What about it sounded like "India is never wrong"?

 

[big_gamer007]

India had forgiven the actions of Pakistani players, and were willing to move on. But after PHF blamed it's own incompetence on India holding grudge from that match, the issue surfaced again, and this time, India was adamant on getting a formal apology. PHF refused, and hence this whole boycott.

PHF = Pakistan hockey federation I assume? What did they do to hide their incompetence and bring up this issue? If PHF is doing politics on expense of Indian hockey federation the international body for hockey should fine them or give a stern warning at the very least..

 

[Zak_Fan]

PHF = Pakistan hockey federation I assume? What did they do to hide their incompetence and bring up this issue? If PHF is doing politics on expense of Indian hockey federation the international body for hockey should fine them or give a stern warning at the very least..

Apparently, Pakistan U19 team was barred from participating in the junior WC because they failed to submit required documents within official deadline. But PHF maintains a stance that the real reason behind it was India holding a grudge against Pakistan since the events in 2014.

Responding to this, IHF demanded an unconditional apology, which didn't come, and here we are.

 

[Specialisttailender]

So after that incident we played them and beat them? Now suddenly after 3 years they remember the incident and don't participate in a juniors tournament? Lol weirdos who put such idiots in charge?

Isn't hockey the same sport from where India was banned due to having two different organisations managing it and lot of power struggle and stuff? Or was it something else? Regardless hockey administration has been so poor over the years that from dominating he sport we have come down to hardly anyone following the sport..

There was a time where kids actually played hockey on the streets and people tuned into watch hockey. Now that is not the case. How many kids do you know that plays hockey ? Lack of Sachin/Kohli like super star in hockey is the reason for the demise of hockey. I'm told that before 1983 ICC World Cup hockey was more popular than cricket in India if not very close to it. Cricket become more glitzy, more crowd flocked in, coverage improved and colored clothing only made it become rapidly popular. Oh yeah, we also stopped winning gold medals at the Olympics.

 

[big_gamer007]

Apparently, Pakistan U19 team was barred from participating in the junior WC because they failed to submit required documents within official deadline. But PHF maintains a stance that the real reason behind it was India holding a grudge against Pakistan since the events in 2014.

Responding to this, IHF demanded an unconditional apology, which didn't come, and here we are.

Alright but if that's the case and is true then Pakistan team would not be allowed to participate either? Dying sport like field hockey the level of petty politics is remarkable, it's funny really..

 

[big_gamer007]

There was a time where kids actually played hockey on the streets and people tuned into watch hockey. Now that is not the case. How many kids do you know that plays hockey ? Lack of Sachin/Kohli like super star in hockey is the reason for the demise of hockey. I'm told that before 1983 ICC World Cup hockey was more popular than cricket in India if not very close to it. Cricket become more glitzy, more crowd flocked in, coverage improved and colored clothing only made it become rapidly popular. Oh yeah, we also stopped winning gold medals at the Olympics.

Yea I'll tell you a small story in Delhi commonwealth games I went to watch India vs Australia hockey match and i heard shouts and slogans like "chal dhanraj" "comeon dhanraj" from the crowd.. I mean people didn't even know any players name, the following of hockey has fallen so much..

P.S. Dhanraj = Dhanraj Pillay who had retired ages ago I think..

 

[Zak_Fan]

Alright but if that's the case and is true then Pakistan team would not be allowed to participate either? Dying sport like field hockey the level of petty politics is remarkable, it's funny really..

Why not? It is a clash of ego, nothing else.

 

[big_gamer007]

Why not? It is a clash of ego, nothing else.

My bad I thought junior hockey World Cup is this current tournament India refused to play, read the OP again its some other tournament.. Rather tHan trying to grow a dying game the federations are fighting like kids good stuff..

 

[Specialisttailender]

How about we get revenge by beating them in a match of hockey ? This only hurts our own players and their lively hood.

 

[sshakir411]

Indians crying while holding on to the past like it's their baby. Nothing new here.

 

[jusarrived]

Really? Then the international hockey federation whoever manages the sport should have given 5-10 games ban to he players who were involved, put a fine and everyone should have moved on.. You know how it's like in EPL or NBA if a player crosses the limit with crowds ban them for a few games and levy a fine.. Don't know what Indian hockey federation wants to achieve wanting an apology for an incident which happened 3 years ago, play them and beat them would be the best revenge..

its a little more complicated than that I think . The issue seems to have died down and we played them a few matches after that and not sure why its resurfaced now .

 

[jusarrived]

Yea I'll tell you a small story in Delhi commonwealth games I went to watch India vs Australia hockey match and i heard shouts and slogans like "chal dhanraj" "comeon dhanraj" from the crowd.. I mean people didn't even know any players name, the following of hockey has fallen so much..

P.S. Dhanraj = Dhanraj Pillay who had retired ages ago I think..

The games been on a upswing in the past few years though . The hockey league may have made the difference , I have seen packed crowds for these games . I havent seen a stronger Indian hockey team , we are beating the Top 3 teams consistently though the habit of conceding in last few minutes is still haunting us we have a side which can beat anyone today .
Won the junior world cup unbeaten this year, so there is good talent which is coming in too.

 

[imrankhannsu]

When an opponent refuses to protest against Israeli opponent there is a large uproar, but when India decide not to even play with Pakistan there is pin drop silence.

 

[big_gamer007]

The games been on a upswing in the past few years though . The hockey league may have made the difference , I have seen packed crowds for these games . I havent seen a stronger Indian hockey team , we are beating the Top 3 teams consistently though the habit of conceding in last few minutes is still haunting us we have a side which can beat anyone today .
Won the junior world cup unbeaten this year, so there is good talent which is coming in too.

That's good for us then if India can win the next hockey World Cup or Olympics then it would give hockey a major boost..

 

[Adil_94]

Pretty pathetic tbh.