November 14, 2002	Thursday	Ramazan 8, 1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

KARACHI, Nov 13: The secretary Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) is likely to step down Thursday after demands to quit by his disgruntled colleagues.

Jawaid M. Quddusi’s possible resignation would come at Thursday’s KHA executive meeting as quite a few KHA office- bearers feel he has failed to deliver and has done little for the promotion of the game in the city.

The KHA officials think Jawaid is yet to take concrete measures for the revival of hockey in the city, while the issue relating to the KHA Hockey Complex in Gulshan-i-Iqbal and hockey ground of the central zone in North Nazimabad, is still in doldrums.

The complex is in use of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology and the ground in the central is being utilised for functions by a local organisation. The KHA is yet to make proper use of the two facilities as former KHA secretary, Itteqa Hassan Zaidi, allowed the above mentioned institutions to use them before he left the scene.

The turning point came when the PHF elections were held earlier September and four elected Karachi officials were deprived of their representation in the Congress by the PHF six days before the meeting.

The KHA officials felt cheated and accused Jawaid of playing in the hands of the PHF because of which they were deprived of their right of franchise.

Gulfaraz Ahmad, vice-president of the KHA, who leads the revolt against Jawaid, although refused to divulge anything about Thursday’s meeting, is expected to take over as new secretary.

Jawaid, however, claimed he had done whatever he could, but was ready to quit in the best interest of the sport.

“How could I organize the President’s Gold Cup during the Ramazan as NBP, the sponsors, are unwilling. I always patronized Karachi officials and sent 13 umpires for the junior national championship. But I received number of complaints about poor umpiring.

“A lot of KHA people are also eager for foreign trips. They constantly demand me to recommend their names. How could I recommend so many people at the same time for the foreign tours,” he said.

Jawaid, also the secretary of the Sindh Hockey Association and an associate secretary of the PHF, said as Itteqa had moved court challenging the KHA elections, nothing could be done regarding the two hockey grounds.

“But still, if they (KHA officials) want me to resign, I will do it in the best interest of the game, but will continue to support my successor,” Jawaid confirmed.