Last year's premier league runners-up Abahani Limited yesterday asked the hockey league committee to explain its decision to extend the date of the inter-club players' transfers for the Premier Hockey League.

According to the last meeting of the league committee, the transfer was slotted for October 6-8. hut the committee later without taking any consent from participating teams extended the date up to October 15. which was totally unconstitutional. We [Abahani] sincerely ask the league committee to explain it," read a written paper, signed by Abahani director Afzalur Rahman Sinha, which was submitted to the league committee yesterday.

Abahani's query came just two days after Dhaka Mariners Club, who also asked the league committee to clarify whether the players of the national youth team as well as the BKSP would be available for the Club Cup and the Premier Hockey League as both teams have international commitments in November and December.

The much-awaited players' transfers had started on October 6 though giants Abahani and N lohammedan appeared unwilling to take part in the bourse because of the shortage of the quality players following the national team's players' commitments in the German Hockey League.

Last year’s Club Cup runners-up Sonali Bank, however, turned up on the first day to complete their registration formalities while Shadharan Bima and Ajax SC singed up a few’ players the next day.

"According to the bylaws, the three-day transfers ended yesterday (Thursday) and now any proceeding regarding the transfer will be considered illegal as the league committee with majority opinion has only the right to extend the timeframe of the transfers," said Abahani hockey committee secretary Shahidullah Dolon.

Besides, the statement said that Abahani from die word go wanted to complete the transfer formalities with the pres- ence of the national players, but later changed its stance considering the greater interest of hockey.

Meanwhile, the players of the national team have been playing in the different clubs in Germany ahead of their preparation for the South Asian Games to be held in Bangladesh from January 29 to February 9.

The Dhanmondi-based outfit also questioned with whom they would take part in the transfers as the national youth team and BKSP have commitments in November.

In the end, Abahahi wanted to clarify' the matters immediately’ in the greater interest of hockey.

Meanwhile, holders Usha Kira Chakra signed up Abahani's striker Moududur Rahman Shuvo and retained the service of midfielder Shahidullah Titu.