A major controversy has erupted involving former Pakistan hockey Olympian Anjum Saeed, who was reportedly offloaded from a flight along with a player for smoking on board while the aircraft was being refuelled. The incident occurred during the national team's return journey from the FIH Pro League in Argentina, casting a shadow over the sport.
The Incident at Rio de Janeiro Airport
Anjum Saeed, who was serving as the manager of the senior Pakistan team for the Pro League tour, was travelling back with the squad. During a stopover at Rio de Janeiro airport in Brazil, the aircraft was on the ground for refuelling. It was at this critical time that Saeed was allegedly found smoking on board, which is a severe safety violation.
Airline staff confronted Saeed about his actions. Reports indicate that the situation escalated when Saeed and another player reacted angrily to the confrontation. The matter was subsequently reported to the authorities, leading to a decisive action: both individuals were not permitted to reboard the flight, which was scheduled to continue its journey to Dubai.
Official Inquiry and Conflicting Narratives
Following the incident, Saeed returned to Pakistan separately. He later claimed that his absence from the team's return was due to personal work in Dubai. However, this explanation has been disputed by officials.
The issue has drawn the serious attention of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). A senior PSB official confirmed that the board has formally asked the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to conduct an independent inquiry. The official stressed that the episode reflects poorly on Pakistan's sporting image internationally.
"While the board has already gathered preliminary information of its own, it wanted the federation to take responsibility and determine what action was required given the seriousness of the incident," the official stated. The board's intervention underscores the gravity with which the safety breach is being viewed.
A Storied Career Overshadowed by Controversy
The controversy is particularly striking given Saeed's esteemed background in hockey. He is a well-known figure who represented Pakistan at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, playing in the semi-final. Furthermore, he was part of the celebrated squad that won both the World Cup and the Champions Trophy in 1994.
This incident has further overshadowed Pakistan's campaign in the FIH Pro League, where the team struggled during its debut appearance in the elite competition. The off-field drama has diverted attention from the team's on-field performances, adding to the challenges facing Pakistan hockey.
The independent inquiry by the Pakistan Hockey Federation is now awaited to establish the full facts of the case and recommend appropriate disciplinary action.
