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| April 23, 2006 | Sunday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 24, 1427 |
Decision on Akhtar’s future soon
LAHORE, April 22: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will decide whether Akhtar Rasool should continue as chief selector following Lahore High Court's decision.
Justice Mian Hamid Farooq has stopped Akhthar from working as an adviser to Punjab government on Friday with an order to provincial chief secretary to withdraw all perks and fringe benefits and to submit a report.
"After Lahore High Court’s decision, we will now discuss whether Akhtar should continue as chief selector," said PHF secretary Musarrat Ullah Khan on Saturday.
Akhtar was stopped because he was convicted for contempt of court by the Supreme Court for storming into the courtroom when it was in session.
The secretary said Akhtar was not being provided financial benefits and had been holding the post because of his experience. However, he added, a final decision would be taken after considering all aspects.
The Senate Standing Committee on Sports had also grilled PHF on the same issue but secretary had defended Akhtar in the past.
Akhtar was appointed as chief selector about four years ago. The team failed to earn any major title during his tenure.
The secretary admitted the performance of the team at ongoing World Cup qualifiers was disappointing but added he could reach at a conclusion after having a detailed report from the team management.
"I only watched the semifinals against South Korea on TV and have no knowledge about the drawn game against Ireland and Belgium as there was no coverage of remaining matches. I won’t comment on the poor performance.”
Asked why the national team has been performing poorly since it secured fifth place at Champions Trophy as it failed to qualify for the final of the qualifiers despite being hot favourites, the official again declined to offer comments, saying he would give his opinion after report from team officials.
Asked if the absence of striker Tariq Aziz was a reason, the secretary did not agree and said hockey was not an individual game and absence of a player didn’t make difference.
Tariq has been banned for six months by PHF for hitting Australian midfielder Rob Hammond in the final of Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Earlier, in a pool match, he hit a South African and received a two-match suspension.
The player will miss Azlan Shah Cup, Champions Trophy, Hamburg Masters and the World Cup in September.
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