KARACHI, Jan 15: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Monday rolled off its final under-18 training camp for Sindh as part of ‘Talent Hunt Scheme’ under a battalion of coaches including the controversial and indisciplined duo of Farhat Khan and Ahmad Alam.

The two Olympians, with a history of disciplinary problems behind them, are a part of the five-man coaching team headed by former Pakistan captain Hanif Khan. Their induction as coaches is, however, questionable since both had been involved in misconduct and even revolts against their coaches.

Farhat has been a troublemaker since his playing days and was even booted out of the national training camp during the tenure of Islahuddin Siddiqui. His ouster had come after he vanished from the camp without officials’ permission despite repeated warnings.

He also had problems with the then camp commandant Khalid Mahmood during a national camp and had to be admonished by his coach Hanif who warned him to behave in a proper manner.

Notorious for his unruly behaviour, both on and off the pitch, the temperamental Farhat never made any efforts to mend his ways despite catching up in age. Playing for his department, Customs a couple of years ago, he was involved in an ugly incident at a national level tournament in Karachi during which he frequently used abusive language against rival team players and umpires.

Following the incident, Customs officials decided against fielding him and he sat on the bench for the remaining matches.

As for Ahmad, the former Pakistan goalkeeper, he has also earned a reputation for his off-field machinations. He was instrumental in causing an infamous revolt by senior players in 2001 against coach Shahbaz Ahmad during a tour to Europe.

Interestingly, it was Hanif again who as chief coach gave Ahmad a ticking off for raising voice against the mercurial forward. Ahmad, however, abruptly announced his retirement, fearing his axing from the squad for revolting against Shahbaz.

In another incident, Ahmad was blamed for leaking stories of smuggled hockey sticks by Shahbaz during a tour.

The goalkeeper was assigned as coach for under-18 national training camp in Karachi last June which became a farce as he, along with fellow-coach Qamar Ibraheem, preferred to offer “comments” on television on Azlan Shah Cup matches. The pair opted to sit in a cosy studio of a private TV channel while youngsters were dumped at the venue along with the physical trainer.

On Monday, Hanif while admitting that the two coaches lacked serious approach and discipline, said it was pretty much in their past.

“They (Ahmad and Farhat) were indeed involved in some indiscipline but that’s in their past now. I will show both of them the door if they ever show any signs of indiscipline while working under my supervision,” said Hanif.

It is, however, incomprehensible how the duo would be able to train and inspire teenagers with their dubious record in the past. More bewildering is the fact that Hanif has accepted their inclusion as his deputies despite being well aware of their disciplinary offences as players and coaches.

Surprisingly, the PHF has planned to hold camps at various centres under sets of different coaches. The raw material will finally be handed over to junior team manager Jahangir Butt.

The present ‘scheme’ seems to be yet another shot in the dark by PHF as it hardly holds any wisdom. The federation, apparently, have little clue as to how the youngsters would be developed into future stars when they are initially being selected and trained by different “coaches” and would have an entirely different style of coaching under Jahangir who is not involved in the present training sessions.

As for the selectors, apart from Hanif and KHA secretary Gulfaraz Ahmad, not a single selector including Samiullah, Jahangir, PHF secretary Akhtarul Islam, Saeed Kashani was present at the venue.