December 15, 2002	Sunday	Shawwal 10, 1423

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KARACHI, Dec 14: The coaches issue for the national soccer training camp was resolved on Saturday when Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said they have been assigned for separate tournaments.

The two coaches — Akhtar Mohiuddin and Tariq Lutfi — both appointed head coach, reported to camp in Islamabad for SAFF Gold Cup in January in Dhaka and SAF Games in March in the capital city.

An uncertain situation was created as according to their official letters from the PFF they have been sent to supervise the camp as head coaches until SAF Games.

The situation was cleared when Akhtar contacted PFF’s Lahore office Friday from where he came to know he has been appointed coach for the SAF Games, while Tariq is to prepare the squad for seven-nation Dhaka contest only.

“The PFF executive secretary Maj Farooq Mir elaborated that I will train the SAF Games squad and Tariq will handle the players for SAFF Gold Cup,” Akhtar said.

Following the recent development, Akhtar said, he was likely to return to his home town Quetta in a couple of days, as there was no point in staying in Islamabad.

However, the PFF has found a unique way of saving their funds by terming the activity as training camp for SAF Games while actually the seniors are training for the SAFF Gold Cup.

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) is providing hospitality including boarding and lodging to the officials and trainees as the PFF claims it is the SAF Games training camp.

The original Under-23 camp for the SAF Games will, however, start after the departure of senior squad to Dhaka where Pakistan meet arch-rivals India in the opener on Jan 10.

Tariq said he would prefer to train the probables called up by Jozef Herel who had been released by the PFF recently as neither he had time nor was he aware of the potential of other players.

“As I have not been in touch with the game for a long time and I really don’t have any idea of the potential of the players, I can’t call some more players for the camp at short notice.

“Besides, I am satisfied with the selection of the probables as there is hardly any deserving player who has been overlooked,” he said.

Tariq’s statement was surprizing as number of players including Gohar Zaman, Mohammad Arshad and Amir Khan who used to be the main strike force, have not been invited for the camp

Akhtar, who had also assisted former junior team coach John Layton, however, pledged he would consider talented players overlooked for the SAF Games training camp.

“Yes, I think some players who really deserve a place in the squad have not been invited. I will definitely consider them as I want the best possible squad for the Games,” he said.