KARACHI, Sept 20: In a rare display of ‘loyalty with individuals’ rather than with the game, the former hockey captain Hassan Sardar confirmed on Wednesday that he had stepped down as selector since officials who appointed him had quit Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

“I was appointed selector by the then PHF president Gen Aziz Khan and secretary Brig Musarrat Ullah two years ago. As Gen Aziz and Brig Musarrat both have quit and a new management has taken over the reins of Pakistan hockey, I have decided to quit,” Hassan told Dawn.

Interestingly, Gen Aziz quit in December 2004 while Musarrat left on July 19 this year.

Although the former selector emphasised his decision was not a sudden move it is, indeed, astonishing to note that the former Olympian expressed no desire to quit when new secretary Akhtarul Islam or president Zafarullah Jamali took charge — on July 31 and Aug 22 respectively.

Hassan insisted that his decision was not influenced by any differences with the new PHF hierarchy and that he had been repeatedly requested by Akhtar to continue but he failed to give a logical reason for quitting from the selector’s post.

Quizzed further about his sudden move to quit the hockey set-up, the former centre-forward said he had served hockey enough as a selector and it was time to take a rest.

“I have served as a selector for a long time (two years). There are several other people who could take my place now. Besides, it was an honorary job and I was not under any obligation to stay on,” he contended.

Hassan, however, was at a loss of words when asked if he preferred to be more loyal to the individuals rather than to the sport which brought him fame, honour and a respectable place in society.

“I will be available if PHF needs my advice,” was all he could say but added he that would not continue since he had little time to give as national selector.

Dismissing the impression that he had resigned due to any fear of sacking from the new PHF administrators who recently removed three directors in a bid to revamp the structure, Hassan said: “It is not like that. In fact Akhtar had asked me to continue until after the World Cup. But I chose to submit the resignation in the middle of the tournament,” said Hassan.

He said that he had not met the new PHF president since his appointment last month. “I have never met the PHF president. As for the secretary, I have only had a few meetings with him since his appointment,” said Hassan.

Commenting on Pakistan’s pathetic performance in the World Cup, he said though the team’s show was unsatisfactory, it had by no means forced him to take this step. “Had the poor performance been the case, I would have stepped down a long time ago as we haven’t won any major title throughout my tenure as a selector,” explained Hassan.

Pakistan finished a poor sixth in Monchengladbach, Germany under coach Shahnaz Sheikh. Unfortunately, it was also under Shahnaz’s tenure as coach when Pakistan were relegated in 1999 Champions Trophy in Brisbane. And yet the reports are rife that the former Olympian has been given an extention till December’s Asian Games.

Chief selector Khalid Mahmood, when asked to comment on Hassan Sardar’s resignation, said he was completely unaware of any such move. “If Hassan has resigned I have no knowledge of it.”

Khalid, reacting to coach Shahnaz’s statement that he would go for changes in the squad for Doha’s Asian Games, said: “I will first speak to my fellow selectors and only then will I plan on rebuilding the team for the Asian Games.”