LAHORE, 15 August 2006 — If the current national team under new coach Shahnaz Shaikh performed better the Pakistan Hockey Federation would reconsider the appointment of a foreigner for the job, said the federation secretary Akhtarul Islam on Saturday.
Talking to journalists at the National Hockey Stadium, the PHF secretary praised Shahnaz as one of the most outstanding and dedicated coaches in the PHF history.
“Shahnaz is one of the best players the country has ever produced. He is dedicated and committed to the cause of hockey and could be a good coach. But it all depends upon his availability as he is pursuing a professional career at Pakistan International Airlines,” Akhtar said, adding the hiring of a foreign coach was just an option to be availed only if we could afford his fee.
When his attention was drawn that in the past the PHF selection committee had become a “rubber stamp” in the presence of Dutch coach Ronalt Oltman, Akhtar stressed that “We won’t allow the foreign coach to humiliate our selection committee.” He added that in case of a victory in the World Cup the change of coach would be ridiculous. “In that case we would request Shahnaz to continue,” the PHF secretary maintained.
To a question, the PHF secretary, who is also general manager marketing in the PIA, said that he would himself involve in the marketing deals of the federation.
“From now I would be a part and parcel of every sponsorship deal,” he clarified. Akhtar said his task was to generate more funds for the Champions Trophy 2007 which was to be held in Pakistan but added that victory always attracted sponsors.
Answering another question, the PHF secretary said the new captain will be appointed on Aug. 19 and seniority, leadership qualities and suitability would all be considered in the selection process.
