June 23, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-us-Sani 18, 1429

LAHORE, June 22: In an effort to resolve the issue after the sacking of Khalid Mahmood and “appointment” of Asif Bajwa as his replacement by the ministry of sports, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) chief Zafarullah Jamali has called both Olympians for a meeting on Thursday in Islamabad.

Sources said that Jamali is likely to accept government’s decision of appointing Asif after the removal of Khalid by the ministry of sports last Monday. It will be because Jamali may not be able to run hockey affairs without government’s financial support.

Jamali may also decide to quit if he feels he is unable to work with Asif. The age difference between Jamali and Asif may create problems in maintaining good relations, the sources said and added Jamali is, however, expected to run the federation until Beijing Olympics in August.

While Khalid confirmed the meeting would be held on Thursday, Asif was ignorant.

“I went to the (PHF) office on Saturday and came to know the president has asked both to come to Islamabad for the meeting on June 26. Though I went to the stadium, I didn’t sit in my office. But now I will sit in my office till June 26 as two important assignments, the Junior Asia Cup and Beijing Olympics are round the corner,” Khalid told Dawn on Sunday.

“We have to take important decisions for holding the Beijing Olympics camp and make arrangements for the junior team for next month’s Asia Cup. To avoid inconvenience to both teams, day-to-day affairs should be run in a smooth manner and on time,” Khalid said.

The former Pakistan captain said he was not interested in any assignment and would accept any decision by Jamali.

“I believe no one can fight against the government, but the stand against the federal sports ministry was based on principal and I think the government has also realized it and it has asked the president to solve the matter,” he said.

However, Bajwa had something different to say.

“I also heard the president will hold the joint meeting with me and Khalid, but I have no official information in this regard. I don’t know what is going on but I do hope it will be better for Pakistan hockey,” he said.

Asif, also a former Pakistan coach, after receiving orders from the ministry of sports through Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to take charge as ad hoc PHF secretary went to PHF office only to find it locked last Tuesday.

Khalid had refused to leave his office on Jamali’s orders as he claimed removal of his secretary and Asif’s appointment was illegal. Jamali said the federal sports minister never consulted him before issuing the Khalid’s removal orders.

However, after a meeting with the prime minister, Jamali had been asked to resolve the issue for the betterment of hockey.