Best goalkeeper of U-18 Hockey Championship excluded from camp;
selection committee faces harsh criticism
Best goalkeeper of U-18 Hockey Championship excluded from camp;
selection committee faces harsh criticism
By Nawaz Gohar ; Serious questions have been raised regarding the selection of the Pakistan Under-18 hockey team, with the entire process coming under intense scrutiny.
According to sources, Haseeb Mustafa—who was officially declared the “Best Goalkeeper” of the tournament—has been excluded from the training camp altogether.
Reports indicate that the player, who represents the Pakistan Army, was ignored despite his stellar performance. In a strong show of protest, Mustafa has reportedly rejected his award.
Hockey enthusiasts have termed the incident a “humiliation” for the athlete, accusing the selection committee of nepotism and the “murder of merit.”
Furthermore, media reports claim that the selection committee was not even present during the matches on the first day, casting a shadow of doubt over the transparency of the entire process.
Critics argue that instead of being selected on the field based on merit, teams are being finalized in “drawing rooms.” They warned that this trend is not only an injustice to young players but also a dangerous sign for the future of the national sport. The government has been urged to take immediate notice of the matter.
