KARACHI, Aug 9: Former national hockey captain Hanif Khan on Tuesday lashed out at Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary, saying he has been named as team official for Super League without his consent.

“This is height of irresponsibility and unprofessional attitude of PHF secretary. I can’t understand why PHF has announced my name as manager of Sindh Qalandars, although I have flatly refused the offer,” an angry Hanif told Dawn.

The former coach was reacting over an announcement by PHF secretary Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan at a Lahore press conference in which he mentioned Hanif as the team manager of Sindh Qalanadars – one of the six outfits which are to take part in Sept 8 to 18 inaugural league in Karachi.

Hanif said he had been contacted by Musarrat more than once to pressurise and cajole him to join the team as manager but added he categorically refused to accept the offer.

“It is true I have been approached by two PHF officials who literally begged to join Sindh Qalandars but I refused. (Muhammad) Shafique, who is director domestic hockey, has been pestering me for quite a few days, requesting me to join the team as manager.

“Then Brig Musarrat called me up from Lahore on Monday and then again on Tuesday begging me to join the team but I refused again.

“I had told him that Shafique has already tried his luck. But the brigadier was adamant and said there is a difference between Shafique’s status and his position,” he divulged.

The former striker said he did his level best to convince the PHF secretary by saying “since you have approached me I can give you advice on hockey matters but I don’t want any position and can’t join as manager or coach during your tenure.”

“So adamant was the secretary that he asked me to propose a name for the team manager for Qalandars or he would announce my name as the manager. I had promised to propose name of any suitable person.”

Hanif, also a former selector, lambasted Musarrat for his irresponsible act, asking how a person who announced the name of an Olympian as team official against his wish could run PHF affairs.

“I must say if he is such an irresponsible person then he is certainly not competent to run Pakistan hockey affairs,” Hanif remarked.

Interestingly, in the past, Musarrat had criticised Hanif along with Islahuddin Siddiqui, and other Olympians holding them responsible for what he said “destroying” hockey during their tenures as managers or coaches.