Hockey rule changes affect Pakistan, India most: Rehan Butt

Dunya News

Constant changes in rules of field hockey have affected former giants - India and Pakistan.

These changes have benefitted the Europeans the most, according to ace Pakistan forward Rehan Butt.The rules of the game are constantly being chopped and changed by the strong European lobby. They have removed the off side rule and have also done away with the rule which penalised turning. Such rule changes have been done to the detriment of India and Pakistan, Butt said.Butt pointed out that officials from neither India nor Pakistan are strong enough to prevent the change of rules from being implemented at the international level.The European lobby is very strong, said the 31-year-old striker who was a member of the Pakistan team that won the Champions Trophy bronze medal for three straight years – 2002, 2003 and 2004.