May 12, 2006	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 13, 1427

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

ISLAMABAD, May 11: Pakistan's assistant coach Rana Mujahid, made the scapegoat for the team's recent unimpressive performance on Thursday hailed Asif Bajwa's elevation as chief coach cum manager.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Wednesday sacked Mujahid and team manager Saeed Khan following the fourth-place finish at the World Cup qualifiers in China.

But Mujahid took the decision of his sacking in good spirit and instead of criticising those who threw him out, praised them for giving Asif sweeping powers.

"It is a very wise decision made by the PHF because I feel that the command of the team should be with one man and he should be the one accountable for everything," said Rana a former Olympian.

He, however, was not willing to speak about losing his own job but even appreciated the role of Saeed . "He did his best in his capacity as manager."

Mujjahid defended the team's showing at the World Cup qualifiers and said that the boys were quite tired having played too much hockey in the run-up to the tournament.

The PHF also brought in Rana Zaheer and Shahid Ali Khan to act as Asif's assistants. The change in the team management comes at a critical time with the World Cup in Germany looming, a tournament Pakistan last won in 1994.

"This team has the ability to bounce back but for that to happen, it has to be handled intelligently and I think Asif is fully capable of doing so," Mujahid said.

Besides the World Cup Pakistan have a busy schedule with the Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia, the Champions Trophy in Spain and the Doha Asian Games all coming up this year.

"Yes this is a very important year and we have to plan really well if we hope to win one or more of these competitions. But our target should remain the World Cup for it is one title winning which would help revive our hockey."