November 14, 2002	Thursday	Ramazan 8, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 13: A decision on the resignation of manager Zafar Ali Zafri was to made during a meeting of the top brass of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) being held here late Wednesday night.

Secretary of the PHF, Brig. Musarratullah Khan said that Zafri had submitted his resignation some three weeks ago. “We will decide in the meeting if it is to be accepted or not.”

Zafri had resigned following Pakistan’s fourth place finish at the recent Asian Games in Busan.

Musarratullah was not willing to reveal more about the expected changes that might also see coach Tahir Zaman and his deputy Asif Bajwa being given some new role.

Our Lahore correspondent adds: Zafar Ali Zafri admitted the PHF had refrained him from submitting his resignation but now he had made up his mind to leave.

Zafar, who was appointed manager in May this year said the team performed according to its potential but unluckily it could not win top position in three international tournaments.

Under his managership, the team toured Spain and won the series 3-0, clinched the bronze medal at Manchester Commonwealth Games after a humiliating 7-1 semifinal loss against minnows New Zealand. Pakistan won the medal after defeating underdogs South Africa 10-2.

The team stayed at least for three weeks in England on Zafar’s proposal to acclimatize before the Cologne Champions Trophy where his side again failed and could only win the bronze.

Zafar, however, contended, except matches against New Zealand in Manchester and against Malaysia in Busan the team’s performance was excellent in the three tournaments.