Clubs threaten to boycott hockey

Six premier league clubs, including the high profile Mohammedan Sporting Club and Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club, threatened to boycott all hockey activities if the names of the five councillors, nominated by National Sports Council (NSC) recently were not changed. Representatives from Mohammedan, Dhaka Mariners, Bangladesh Sporting Club, Wari and Wonderers Club held a press conference at Mariners club yesterday and gave a 24-hour ultimatum to change the five nominated councillors from the list and appoint acceptable names. No representative from Ajax club was present on the occasion.  “If the five NSC councillors come from a single club it will set a bad example. So we think the BHF president should reconsider the matter for the sake of hockey’s development,” said Shafiullah Al Munir, the Mariner Youngs’ councillor, who is also competing for the general secretary’s post with backing from Mohammedan. Earlier, five former Abahani players were nominated as councillors by NSC - Abdus Sadek, Jumman Lusai, Mahbub Harun, Zaki Ahmed Ripon and Mamunur Rashid. The six clubs claimed it can easily shift the balance to Abahani councillor Khwaja Rahamatullah in the upcoming election on June 27 that comprises of only 71 voters.   “Mohammedan are the champions of the last premier league and Usha (Krira Chakra) are the runners-up, but they overlooked all this clubs and nominated five councillors from a single club. It makes an un even playing field for the election,” he added. Humayun Kabir of Bangladesh SC, Mohammedan councillor Sajed AA Adel, Mohammad Jashim Uddin of Wonderers Club and Naziul Islam Nazu of Wari Club were also present during the press briefing.