LAHORE, Aug 31: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) director marketing Naveed Haider abruptly decided to part ways with federation by asking secretary to “relieve” him from his position on Thursday.

"Though Naveed’s contract expired last month, he was working with the PHF. But now he (Naveed) has decided to part ways from the federation and I have accepted his request," secretary PHF Akhtarul Islam told press conference.The secretary, however, denied that Naveed had been relieved because of differences with PHF.

"Naveed has some other better offers, therefore, he do not want to continue with the PHF," said the secretary who also presented a memento to Naveed.

Sources, however, said Akhtar, being an expert in the field of marketing, wants to handle marketing of PHF to save the commission which was being paid to Naveed for bringing funds for the federation through sponsorship deals.

Naveed received 20 per cent commission from all the sponsorship deals he struck for the PHF. During his tenure, Naveed fetched a sponsorship of about Rs 90 million.

There are more changes expected in the PHF secretariat to reduce expenditures of cash-strapped PHF.

In his first press conference after taking charge as secretary, Akhtar had admitted the financial position of the PHF was not satisfactory. But he didn’t reveal exact amount PHF has.

The secretary said officials who brought Sindh team without invitation to Faisalabad to take part in the ongoing Governor's Gold Cup tournament were responsible for their losses.

"The name of Sindh team was not included in the draw because they were not invited for the tournament," the secretary said.

According to Sindh team officials, their outfit has been denied participation on Akhtar’s instructions. The secretary has asked organizers that since a case related to Sindh Hockey Association (SHA) was still pending in court, Sindh should not be allowed to take part. Sindh team officials have denied that there is any case by SHA against PHF or vice versa.

Akhtar, a general manager in PIA who was appointed by the then PHF chief Tariq Kirmani, said he had no problems with the new head of the federation Zafarullah Jamali.

"Zafarullah has a long association with the PHF and I am quite satisfied by working along with the new president," the secretary said.

Kirmani nominated Akhtar as secretary PHF in after Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan who “quit”. Kirmani also “resigned” to be replaced by Jamali.