Lahore: They might have signed up with the franchises but Pakistan hockey star Rehan Butt has made it clear that he and his teammates will participate in the proposed World Series Hockey (WSH) in India only after it is sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation.
Butt, while confirming that he had inked a contract with a franchise to captain them in the proposed series, said he would only play if the WSH was given clearance by the FIH and Pakistan Hockey Federation.
"Let me tell you this that Rehan Butt will only play in the series if it is recognised by the authorities," he said.
Butt indicated that other players who had signed up for the proposed series were also clear about only playing if the WSH was given clearance.
"We would love to play in such a high-profile event as it is financially also very rewarding but I would not risk my Pakistan career for it," Butt added.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has refused to recognise the proposed World series as it is being organised by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).
In a recent statement, the FIH declared the IHF an unrecognised body in India with only Hockey India (HI) authorised to hold official tournaments being the sole national governing body for the sport in India.
"The FIH would like to restate that it has not changed its position on World Series Hockey," read the FIH statement.
"It remains an unsanctioned event as per FIH Statutes and Bye-Laws."
The eight-team franchise-based World series is a joint venture of the IHF and Nimbus Sport. But the IHF and HI are currently locked in a bitter tussle to run the game within India.
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