October 7, 2003	Tuesday	Sha’aban 10, 1424

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LAHORE, Oct 6: After dismal performances for the last three years, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has decided to hire Dutch Roelant Oltmans to coach the national side until next year’s Athens Olympics.

Oltmans is likely to arrive in Pakistan in a couple of days to discuss the details of his contract with the PHF.

However, Tahir Zaman, the present team coach, under whom team gave some worst-ever performances during last two years, would act as Oltmans’s assistant.

Oltmans would be the second foreign coach to join Pakistan hockey team. Earlier in 1994, Hans Jorritsma, another Dutch, helped Pakistan earn double triumph when the team won World Cup in Sydney and Lahore Champions Trophy in Lahore.

Since then Pakistan have been struggling to retain the titles they last won under Jorritsma.

Surprisingly, PHF has taken the decision to hire a foreign coach despite president PHF Gen Muhammad Aziz Khan has ruled such possibility.

During a press conference in August the PHF chief had clearly stated he would prefer to groom local coaches to become international level coaches.

Meanwhile, the training camp for this month’s first Afro-Asian Games in Hyderabad, India, started at National Hockey Stadium on Monday with the newly-appointed team manager Hassan Sardar missing.

The Olympian has been appointed after Rashid Junior tendered his resignation recently.

In all 29, players have been invited but only 19 reported. Centre-forward Kashif Jawwad joined the camp late in the evening while 18 had training.

Those who missing were Waseem Ahmad, Sohail Abbas, Ahmad Alam, Mohammad Qasim, Tariq Imran, Dilawar Hussain, Rehan Butt, Zeeshan Ashraf, Mohammad Saqlain and Khalid.