KUALA LUMPUR: Two rival factions in the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) are preparing separately to send a team to the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh from May 4 to 11.
The PHF, the one that is headed by politician Shehla Reza and secretary Haider Hussain, announced on April 13 that the organizers of the Azlan Shah Cup had invited them.
"The national training camp for the Azlan Shah Cup will be held from Monday (April 15) at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium in Karachi under the supervision of head coach Shahnaz Sheikh," Shehla told the Pakistani media.
But a rival PHF faction, the one headed by politician Mir Tariq Bugti and secretary Rana Mujahid announced that thier training camp will begin from Tuesday (April 16) in Islamabad.
The PHF split into two camps earlier this year following the resignation of its former president, Brigadier Khalid Sajjad Khokar.
Pakistani hockey Olympian, Rasheedul Hasan, said the players are suffering as they are in two minds as to which group to obey.
"We have two parallel bodies. Eventually the players will suffer and at a time when Pakistan hockey badly needs to win matches internationally."
Malaysia Hockey Confederation acting CEO V. Jayanandan said they deal with the Pakistan federation that is recognised by the world body.