KARACHI, April 2: The newly-elected Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary, Khalid Mahmood vowed on Monday that he would never get involved in nepotism and building a formidable outfit is his major mission.

“I may make mistakes but will never do anything wrong intentionally. But I can promise that there will be no nepotism or favouritism of any kind,” the Olympian told Dawn after being elected.

Khalid, the 1968 Mexico Olympics gold medallist, has replaced Akhtarul Islam who quit on March 21, saying he won’t continue as president Zafarullah Jamali’s rubber-stamp who is running affairs single-handedly.

He, however, has been under fire for selecting over-aged players for the under-18 outfit that is now on Kenya and Egypt tours, while according to Akhtar an individual named Khawar having no credentials was also included as one of the three coaches on Jamali’s approval.

For Khalid, the performance of the senior team is the first priority for which he says activity this year will be a build up to 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“We have to play Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia followed by a China tour for a four-nation. Finally we will have Champions Trophy in Lahore in December. But Olympics will be our target,” said the secretary.

Khalid, who has a long association with Jamali and played hockey along with the former premier during college days, threw his weight behind the idea of having paid managers and coaches, but was unconvincing when asked what would be the accountability.

“I feel people giving time and energy should be paid. Now we will have paid PHF secretary, managers, coaches, physiotherapist and video analyst,” Khalid said but didn’t say anything why selectors would not be paid while PHF has now opted for paid officials.

Unfolding his plans for the future, Khalid said major issue which was hampering in sport’s prosperity was the cost.

“If we consider only the kit of goalkeeper, it costs more then Rs100,000. The game has become too expensive. We need to pump in more money.”

The secretary said he had planned to have at least four hockey academies at major centres besides having district academies. “What I have planned is to have academies in small districts. Where ever we find a synthetic surface nearby will be also form a district academy in that district which will cover four or five districts,” former Pakistan captain said.