Scrapping Champions Trophy akin to wiping out Pakistan’s legacy: Islahuddin

The Federation of International Hockey (FIH) has come under heavy criticism by former Pakistan skipper Islahuddin after the game's governing body scrapped the Champions Trophy from the calendar.

The FIH has recently announced that a new portfolio of events will be launched in 2019 which will completely change the landscape of international hockey.

The plan also includes scrapping of the Champions Trophy which, according to the FIH plans, will be held for the last time in 2018 at Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Islahuddin, who led Pakistan to glory in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 1978, criticised the FIH for putting to end the event of which the basis was laid by Pakistan.

“The Champions Trophy is close to the heart of Pakistan hockey, the fans and the players,” Islahuddin told Dawn in an interview.

“Scrapping Champions Trophy is akin to wiping away Pakistan's legacy,” he added.

The Champions Trophy’s first edition in 1978 was hosted by Pakistan amid FIH’s financial crisis and the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) managed to put up a successful event on its own.

Islah, 68, expressed suspicion over PHF’s lack of knowledge about the decision being taken by the FIH.

“Even if they didn’t know earlier that such decision was coming, they do know now,” said the former right-winger.

“The PHF should record a strong protest and work hard to get this decision reversed.”

The PHF on Wednesday expressed disappointment at the FIH's decision.

“In light of the recent decision of the FIH, it is a matter of immense disappointment and dismay for the PHF to learn that the FIH has decided to eliminate the ever-exciting Champions Trophy from its yearly calendar all of a sudden without any prior consultation with the PHF whatsoever,” read a press-release issued by the PHF.