A shocking decision leaves the Al-Sharqiya Hockey team and its technical manager sidelined from the pitch for the next three years. Abeer Anwar investigates the African Hockey Federation's (AHF) stunning decision The minute one sets foot in the governorate of Al-Sharqiya, hockey is everywhere. Children scattered in the alleys and streets have concocted homemade, make-shift sticks, and are playing hockey not with balls, but maybe pebbles or rocks. You get the feeling that Sharqiya breathes hockey, and even, it seems, smells like it. This mini-hockey haven is the result of the efforts of men such as Mohi Zaghloul, Sharqiya hockey team's technical manager. He is known to the nation as one of hockey's pioneers; a man who helped the team collect numerous medals and titles. The success alone, however, has not been enough to keep the team shining bright. Sharqiya's players, managers, and fans, were slapped in the face in April, and the tides are still not turning. The Sharqiya team -- which collected 12 African titles out of 14, and is the so-called 'king' of the Arab World -- faced a harsh ban after its participation in the 14th African Hockey Championship held in Ghana last April. The team lost the title for the second time, a result that was not too shocking, could have somehow been forecast, but nevertheless left supporters glum. Nobody, however, would have ever guessed what would come next. Upon their return home, the African Hockey Federation announced a three-year ban on Al-Sharqiya team and its technical manager; stipulating the team being sidelined from all hockey activities for three years. While the ban will most certainly cripple the team's reputed walk of glory, it is a decision which critics say stems from a solid foundation. "Sharqiya misbehaved and did a lot that one can't express," Gamal Sherazi, president of the AHF, said. "They haven't also abided by the AHF rules as they did not bring referees with the team." Is this, however, reason enough for the ban? It would seem not given that not all other teams were accompanied by referees. Nigeria, for example, did not have a single referee but "eyes", critics said, were closed to that matter and the issue was not one up for discussion with the federation. What puzzled the public, was that the Egyptian Hockey Federation (EHF) seemingly surrendered completely to the ban, without asking to discuss the decision with officials -- despite the fact that Major Said Abdeen, EHF president, was present when the decision was made. Surely, they suggested, the EHF should have lashed out at the ban and questioned it as a baseless, biased decision. In an effort to bring meaning to this puzzling decision, public debate concluded that some teams complained of Sharqiya being the leader and title holder for so many years, and that they were bored of the monopoly and wanted a similar chance. The only solution to this problem, hence, was to slay these unwavering achievers. The team's technical manager, however, had other things to say. "The officials at Sharqiya club said they were having money problems [and couldn't provide the referees], so we agreed with the EHF that they provide and accommodate the referees as a means for the EHF to balance its account with the club," Zaghloul said. "Sharqiya rents its field to the EHF to hold competitions on," Zaghloul added, explaining that the EHF owes the club money for this. "We had reached an agreement but I don't know what happened." The lack of federation support and solemnity to its word comes as quite a surprise given the strength of the Sharqiya team. What is even more obscure, is the silent response of the Egyptian Olympic Committee (EOC) and the Youth Ministry -- both of whom released no comment in response -- acting as if it is an issue out of the bounds of local sports, and beyond the scope of one of the nation's strongest medal-collecting teams. The issue, the hockey community has concluded, is one more complex than meets the eye. And one, it seems, that is not going to be easy cleared. The media continues to grapple over the possible reasons, and the topic remains hot in the local sports arena. A conspiracy, as always, is thought at present to be the cause. What else, fans have said, would drive a federation to cripple a man, a team, and their success, except the eye of envy? Fame, it is common knowledge, comes at a price. No-one ever imagined, however, that it would ever be so high.
