Meanwhile, the Indo-Pak tension at the LoC today spilled over to the sporting arena with Hockey India deciding to send back four Pakistani recruits of HIL franchise Mumbai Magicians after protests over the killing of Indian soldiers on the border.
After Shiv Sena protests in Mumbai forced the team to shift training base to Delhi, Hockey India decided to play safe and send the team's Pakistani signings back.
“Fearing escalation of tension, the Hockey India's Governing Council has taken the decision to send back the four Pakistani players in the Mumbai team,” a top Hockey India official told PTI.
The four players who would be sent back are Mahmood Rashid, Fareed Ahmed, Muhammad Tousiq and Imran Butt and they are expected to take the flight home this evening.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation has been informed about the decision and the circumstances under which it was taken.
The PHF has expressed understanding of the situation.
“The contracts of the four Pakistani players would remain valid and the payments would be made to them although they would not be playing in any of the matches,” the official said.
