March 15, 2007	Thursday	Safar 25, 1428

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LAHORE, March 14: Naveed Alam tendered his resignation as secretary Punjab Hockey Association (PHA) on Wednesday after being asked by Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) chief to end a six-month long rift with his president Imran Masood amid a clash between two armed groups.

PHF president Zafarullah Jamali, after “attending” a general council meeting of PHA, told journalists that Naveed had resigned after being asked by him.

"I am thankful to Naveed for tendering resignation on my request. PHA president has accepted it," said the president, who was requested by both rival groups to resolve the issue.

Although the matter was resolved as both the groups were supporting Jamali, a clash broke out between Naveed and one of the general council members Asad Lodhi from Sahiwal during lunch at the stadium.

Both groups had gathered at National Hockey Stadium with some of their supporters allegedly carrying firearms. But Imran cooled down his supporters by escorting them to another place at the stadium to avoid any further tension.

However, Jamali said Naveed would be “adjusted” in the PHF for rendering “good services as PHA secretary.

"Naveed will be engaged at PHF level and I will adjust him in the PHF because he has rendered good services as PHA secretary," he said.

Jamali said PHA general body also authorised him to decide the name of new secretary of the association which he would announce as soon as possible. The brawl between the two groups despite the issue was resolved, however, indicates that it will not be an easy task for Jamali to “select” a new secretary on the PHA acceptable to both groups.

"I have made it cleared to all the members of the PHA that they will have to accept my decision," he said.

There were reports that PHF might impose ad-hoc on the PHA if it failed to resolve the issue. However, PHF will hold its elections in Karachi now after resolving the issues at association level on April 2.

The PHA president had suspended Naveed but the former failed to pass a no confidence motion against the later. Naveed moved court against his suspension and later withdrew it after Jamali intervened.