Suspended hockey player Russell Mahmud Jimmy is now in Oman to play in the Omani Hockey League much to the irk of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation, confirmed his relatives and colleagues on Monday. It has also been learned that another suspended player Kamruzzaman Rana accompanied Jimmy in Oman. Hockey’s governing body recently suspended four national team players due to their questionable performances in the Asia Cup Hockey tournament, which was held in August in Malaysia.
The BHF raised 10 allegations against Jimmy, which includes the player not giving his full concentration in the match against Oman. The BHF also raised an objection regarding Jimmy meeting up with some Omani players and officials before the match got underway.
After the Asia Cup debacle, the BHF formed a fact-finding committee to identify the reasons behind the national team’s under-performance.
The BHF also assessed the reports prepared by the national side’s Pakistani head coach Naveed Alam and manager Abdur Rashid Sikder before taking the decision of suspending the players.
Jimmy, Rana, Imran Hasan Pintu and Zahid Hossain were found guilty as they failed to register their best performance in the Asia Cup, which was identified as one of the main reasons behind the national team’s failure.
Jimmy left Dhaka for Oman on December 10 ignoring the BHF’s decision.
Jimmy’s father Abdur Razzak admitted that his son is now playing in the Oman Premier league.
‘Jimmy is in Oman to play in the premier league but I don’t know how many matches he will play and which club he is playing for,’ said Razzak, also a former national hockey player.
Zahid and Pintu, the other banned players also disclosed that Jimmy was now in Oman.
Meanwhile, the BHF has already informed the matter to the Federation of International Hockey and the Asian Hockey Federation.
‘Usually a professional player can play in any country after taking permission from the local federation but when a player is suspended by his federation then he will not get the opportunity of playing abroad,’ said BHF general secretary Khaja Rahamatullah on Monday.
‘We have already informed the FIH and the AHF about the matter and we are awaiting a proper investigation into the matter,’ he added.
‘It is clear that Jimmy was trying to impress Oman rather than thinking about his country in the Asia Cup and Oman duly awarded Jimmy for his under-performance,’ said a disappointed Rahamatullah.
-With New Age input
