Pak hockey coach lauds India’s sporting spirit

Relations between the hockey federations of India and Pakistan soured after the controversy-marred semi-final of the 2014 Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar.

Published : Feb 13, 2016 22:24 IST , Karachi

Pakistan's Rehan Butt said it was satisfying to beat India twice in the same event
Pakistan's Rehan Butt said it was satisfying to beat India twice in the same event
lightbox-info

Pakistan's Rehan Butt said it was satisfying to beat India twice in the same event

Coach-cum-player of the Pakistan hockey team, Rehan Butt, has lauded the sporting spirit of Indian players and spectators, a day after winning the gold in the ongoing South Asian Games in Guwahati.

“It was a high for us to beat India in a big final in India. But thankfully this time we kept our celebrations under control and also the crowd which came for the final was very sporting and appreciated our performance,” said Butt.

Relations between the hockey federations of India and Pakistan soured after the controversy-marred semi-final of the 2014 Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar.

Soon after winning the semi-final against India in the Champions Trophy, Pakistani players indulged in wild celebrations and some of its players made obscene gestures towards the spectators and the media, forcing the International Hockey Federation to intervene and control the situation.

Hockey India had demanded an apology from Pakistan for the incident and also wanted an assurance that it would reprimand its players if they repeat their antics in future.

Butt, who went to the SAF Games as coach of the team but ended up playing in the tournament, said it was satisfying to beat an improving India.

“Their standards have improved and it is a big victory for us. Both teams had some senior players and it was an intriguing experience to play as coach and player,” Butt, a decorated Pakistan forward said.

Butt had to don the jersey after a selected player Samiullah didn’t get accreditation for the SAF Games.

“I played after proper permission from the organisers. To me the best part of the final was that there was no bad blood and the way the crowd appreciated our performance,” he said.

Butt hoped after the SAG final, relations between the two hockey bodies would improve soon and the two countries will soon resume bilateral ties on the turf.

“The Pakistani players were on their best behavior and we had told them to avoid any unnecessary or over the top celebrations which could hurt sentiments of our hosts,” he said.

“But at the end it was satisfying to beat India twice in the same event,” he added.

Pakistan beat India 2-1 in the league stage and 1-0 in the final to win the gold.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment