September 22, 2006	Friday	Sha'aban 28, 1427

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LAHORE, Sept 21: Pakistan hockey captain Mohammad Saqlain on Thursday blamed coach Shahnaz Shaikh for World Cup debacle, saying it was because of his inefficiency and lack of coaching skills which affected team’s performance.

“Shahanaz is responsible for team's pooor performance and defeat at the World Cup in Germany,” said Saqlain while talking to reporters here.

Pakistan finished a poor sixth in Monchengladbach, Germany after failing to reach the semi-finals of the elite tournament.“He could not train the team according to latest techniques. He is incapable of making the strategies which is the prime job of a coach,” said the captain.

Saqlain suggested that Olympians willing to coach the national team should first learn the techniques of the modern game before training the players. He argued that no team in the world could win only through team spirit.

“No team in the world including Pakistan could ever become champion without adopting modern techniques.”

Saqlain said a report pertaining to team's performance at the World Cup was being prepared which he would submit to Pakistan Hockey Federation president Zafarullah Jamali during a meeting shortly.

Saqlain said he would decide about his hockey career after meeting Jamali.—PPI