18 July 2004	Sunday	29 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

KARACHI, July 17: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and coach Roelant Oltmans are on a collision course as selectors are due to arrive on Tuesday to possibly "select" the Olympic squad while the Dutchman claims he controls the selection affairs.

The selection committee headed by Akhtar Rasool with Saleem Nazim, Saeed Khan and Hassan Sardar as members, are scheduled to arrive here to finalize the Athens Olympic squad in are likely to watch "trial" at Hockey Club of Pakistan.

Oltmans has 18 players at the ongoing training camp and says that he has almost finalized the 16-man squad. He has planned to announce the final line-up after shortlisting two players just before the departure for Spain or during the trip where team plays the hosts.

The situation might turn distasteful since Oltmans always has the last say in the training and selection of the squad since he took over the charge last December.

However, on the other hand, Akhtar has categorically said in a statement the squad would be finalized only after the consultation of the selection committee.

Sources said Akhtar's statement has upset Oltmans as the Dutchman had apprehensions that build-up to the biggest sporting extravaganza could be jeopardised because of the interference in the selection matters.

The grip over the selection of the squad maintained by the coach could be well gauged from the fact that he even recalled Mohammad Sarwar after taking over the reins.

Selection committee was made redundant by Oltmans's act since the selectors had dumped Sarwar from Champions Trophy squad last year, saying he was a spent force.

Sarwar had alleged that he was forcibly retired by PHF from international hockey after the announcement of the Champions Trophy squad at the behest of the selectors.

Interestingly, Akhtar and his co-selectors are scheduled to visit the city to "finalize" the squad, although not a single selector or even secretary PHF Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan, who is the coopted member of the selection committee, visited the camp.

To make matters worse, Saeed has neither visited a single training camp since after being appointed selector nor was he present during the trials or before the announcement of the squad.

He has been appointed selector for the second time by the present PHF after he tendered resignation earlier citing pressing professional commitments as the reason.

Although Oltmans had stated he would not object if the selection committee wanted to watch the sessions, but had clearly indicated he would react if his authority was challenged and selectors decided to make changes in the squad.