KARACHI, June 20: Former Olympian Khalid Mahmood who was sacked as the secretary of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) last Monday by the Ministry of Sports, has said that he would accept his president’s decision even if it comes in favour of Asif Bajwa.

Khalid said that since Zafarullah Jamali was still the PHF president, he would welcome any decision taken by him. “Mr Jamali is my president. He nominated me following which I was appointed. I will accept any decision taken by him even if he asks me to resign,” Khalid told Dawn on Friday.

To make matters worse, Asif Bajwa was “appointed” the new secretary on ad hoc basis by the Minister for Sports Najamuddin Khan which was a questionable decision.

The former coach, however, has not been able to work as secretary since Khalid is not ready to relinquish charge on Jamali’s orders.

However, to end the ongoing turmoil, Jamali had met prime minister on Wednesday to discuss the crisis. While he was told to resolve the issue as the PHF chief, he had been asked to honour the government’s decision of naming Asif as the new secretary.

Jamali had promised he would resolve the issue after meeting Khalid and Asif very soon.

“I don’t want to comment on whether I will accept if asked to resign after the Olympics. But all I can say is that I will have absolutely no objection on his (Jamali’s) decision.”

Khalid said he had nothing against Asif but the Ministry of Sports created a mess by taking the decision without Jamali’s consultation.

“The situation would have been different had the Ministry of Sports asked Jamali to appoint new secretary.”

Khalid said as Jamali was busy in some personal commitment, he hadn’t talked on the issue and added that he had no idea if the meeting would be one-to-one or Asif would also be involved. “I don’t have any idea whether the president will have a joint meeting or separate talks. But I will accept whatever will be the decision,” said the former Pakistan captain.

Sources believe that since Jamali has been asked by the prime minister to accommodate Asif to honour government’s decision, there may be different options for the PHF chief.

One of these are that Jamali may ask Khalid to continue till Olympics and accommodate Asif as associate secretary temporarily. Another option could be that Asif will be asked to wait till the Olympics before Khalid resigns.