GENEVA: The flow of star players to European teams during the NHL lockout could distort national competitions, International Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel said yesterday. Rene Fasel said that he balanced the increased attention for European hockey against potential damage to the integrity of leagues, especially if players return to North America midseason.
“It’s questionable how fair it is to the others (teams) and the whole league system,” Fasel said by telephone from Tokyo, where the governing body has its congress next week.
“The integrity of the game is, for us, something very important. It’s not just business,” the world hockey leader said. “We play the game for the hockey fans but sport should always be No. 1. Sport should also be about fairness to everybody.” Since the lockout started on Sunday, players have turned to Europe to find playing time and salaries until the stalemate between the league and NHL players’ union is resolved.
Fasel said it was good for fans to see stars come home, including two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin to Russian club Dynamo Moscow and New York Islanders captain Mark Streit with Switzerland’s best-supported club, Bern.
“That is very positive, there’s no doubt,” said Fasel, a former Swiss league referee. “Mark Streit never played in Switzerland when he was a junior. Now he can come back and play for a top team as a big star — that’s a great story.” Still, Fasel acknowledged mixed feelings, and that “one eye is crying and the other eye is laughing.” “You have to pay the insurance (for salaries) and we know most of the clubs have troubles with their budgets, so they should be careful,” he said. “There are some teams in Switzerland that will never be able to pay half a million and more to hire these guys.” Fasel said wealthy benefactors would help clubs in some cases “as a present to the fans.” Swiss club Davos has been able to attract San Jose Sharks captain Joe Thornton and New York Rangers winger Rick Nash.
Both played for the Alpine town team during the season-long 2004-05 lockout.
The players’ return should also boost interest in Davos while it and neighboring St. Moritz prepare to ask local voters next March to support their campaign to bid for 2022 Winter Olympics hosting rights.
Just 17 months before the 2014 Sochi Games, NHL players are not certain to compete in the two-week tournament in Russia run by the IIHF.
“Our door is wide open,” said Fasel, an IOC board member who is unopposed to extend his 18-year IIHF presidency in Japan next week. “We are planning as if they will be there. If they are not coming, we are going to play hockey anyway.”
World hockey leader sees upside, downs to lockout
World hockey leader sees upside, downs to lockout
Ton-up Farhan helps Pakistan seal Super Eight spot with Namibia rout
- It was Farhan’s maiden T20 ton and he became only the second Pakistani to score a T20 World Cup century after Ahmed Shehzad in 2014 against Bangladesh
COLOMBO: Sahibzada Farhan hit a magnificent unbeaten century to help Pakistan seal the final Super Eight berth at the T20 World Cup with a thumping 102-run win over Namibia in Colombo on Wednesday.
Farhan scored 100 not out off 58 balls with four sixes and 10 fours as Pakistan posted 199-3 before they routed Namibia for 97 in 17.3 overs.
Pakistan’s victory took them to six points from four games in Group A and eliminated the United States, who finished with four points.
India also have six points and play the Netherlands in the group’s final game later Wednesday.
The defending champions India, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the West Indies will play each other in the Super eights Group 1, hosted in India.
Pakistan join New Zealand, England and co-hosts Sri Lanka in Group 2, hosted in Sri Lanka.
After a morale-shattering 61-run defeat against India, Pakistan needed a victory to avoid an early exit, which was achieved with ease as spinners Usman Tariq (4-16) and Shadab Khan (3-19) tore through the Namibia batting.
Louren Steenkamp scored 23 while Alexander Busing-Volschenk was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 20.
‘Complete performance’
Skipper Salman Agha praised a clinical show.
“It is a complete performance,” said a relieved Agha.
“We batted well and Farhan anchored the innings. He has been batting well for a while and I am happy that he got his hundred.
“With the ball we were lethal.”
Namibian skipper Gerhard Erasmus admitted Pakistan’s spin bowlers were too hot to handle.
“It (spin) is a special skill to have, to turn the ball both ways like they do,” said Erasmus.
“I think that’s one of the things we’ll definitely take home and look to improve on.”
Farhan earlier blasted a six and a four off pace bowler Jack Brassell to enter the 90s before taking a single off Gerhard Erasmus to complete his hundred in the final over.
It was Farhan’s maiden T20 ton and he became only the second Pakistani to score a T20 World Cup century after Ahmed Shehzad in 2014 against Bangladesh.
Shadab Khan, promoted to No. 5 with Babar Azam left out, hit three sixes and a four in his 36 not out off 22 balls as Pakistan smashed 42 from the last three overs.
Farhan put on 40 for the opening wicket with Saim Ayub (14) before consolidating the innings during a 67-run second wicket stand with captain Salman Agha (38).
Pakistan also left out pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi after a poor show in the first three matches, including conceding 31 in two overs in the defeat against India on Sunday.
Farhan’s ton means this is the first T20 World Cup in which three centuries have been scored.
He followed Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka, who scored a hundred against Australia on Monday, and Canada’s Yuvraj Sama who reached three figures against New Zealand on Tuesday.
