The growing anti-Pakistan sentiments in the country forced the local hockey clubs to look for alternative options of recruiting foreign players for the season.
Pakistani players have been a popular choice among the big Dhaka Premier League clubs like Abahani, Mohammedan and Usha, but now they are looking for other options.
“We almost finalised our talks in recruiting Pakistani players, but the ongoing relationship between the two countries are making us look to sign alternative players,” said Abahani coach Mahbub Harun.
“We are monitoring the whole situation. If the situation continues to be like this we might recruit players from India,” he added.
Usha KC manager Rafiqul Islam Kamal said apart from signing Pakistani players they also planned to bring in a coach from the country, “But we have to think about alternatives if country’s current situation gets worse.”
“We are in touch with Indian and players from other country for alternative options. We have to take a decision soon,” added Kamal.
The season’s first tournament Club Cup Hockey is expected to begin in the first week of January followed by the league.
Earlier this month, Bangladesh cricket was left stunned after the West Indies Cricket Board withdrew their Under-19 side from a seven-match youth ODI series following the ongoing political unrest here. The incident raised many eyebrows around the world concerning the security in Bangladesh.
