LAHORE, Sept 7: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has deferred the submission of nominations for different committees of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). It has been decided the new president PHF Zafarullah Jamali will forward the nominations to the FIH during the ongoing World Cup in Germany.

Zafarullah said nominations would be sent to the FIH on Thursday afternoon after holding discussions. But when contacted in the afternoon, the PHF secretary Akhtarul Islam told Dawn it had been decided that president would submit the nominations to the FIH during the ongoing World Cup in Germany after discussing with “concerned” people. The secretary said Jamali would go to Germany on Sept 12.

Jamali said he might not be contesting for membership of the FIH executive board, but a final decision would be taken after considering all aspects.

He is one of the five persons included in the list of nominated persons. The president, however, did not give any reason for changing his mind.

Sources said the president was reluctant to contest the elections since he has not enough time to ask for total of 128 voters’ support, while strong candidates from USA, China, Spain and South Korea are also competing for executive board membership.

"I am not afraid of any tough contest in the elections. I have seen much more tough situations in my life," Jamali told a press conference.

Besides Jamali, the PHF also considered Akhtar (event committee), Mansoor Masood Khan (marketing committee), while retaining Barrister Shahida Jameel (judicial commission). The PHF secretary clarified Moeen Rauf had been nominated for event committee as an alternate and not for communication committee.

Jamali vowed he would maintain discipline and merit while taking all decisions. Asked how he could justify his claims while PHF nominated Mansoor (marketing committee) and Moeen, although they had no hockey background, the president had no satisfactory reply but said the nominations were yet to be finalized.

"Be patient and everything will be done on merit. Let us hold discussions on the nominations,” he said.

The president said he could not predict the future of the game in the country. Jamali said as Pakistan had some “fine coaches” he would not consider any foreign coach for Pakistan. But at the same time he added if PHF had financial resources he would hire foreign coaches if needed.

The president hinted ad hoc might be imposed if the problems within the Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) and Sindh Hockey Association (SHA) were not resolved.

"I am hopeful for an amicable solution of Sindh and Karachi bodies in near future. But if we fail then next option will be considered," he said.

The previous PHF secretary Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan held the elections after scrutiny of the clubs. But KHA elections were postponed twice because of complaints of rigging. KHA officials who were finally elected on March 12 had alleged that Musarrat had tried to install his favourites through rigging the polls. PHF, including the present secretary Akhtar, has been facing a court case and has been restrained from interfering into KHA affairs.

Jamali avoided commenting on present Pakistan squad, saying since the outfit was selected before he took charge, he would not offer comments.

The president would be going to Germany to “lift the morale” of the players. He said players would be selected on merit in future and he would not spare any one involved in indiscipline.

Jamali said he would generate funds for the PHF and he had also met with Punjab chief minister in this connection. "I will also demand funds from other three provinces to meet the expenditures of the PHF," he said.