KUALA LUMPUR, March 9: Pakistan's Jamshed Gul has resigned as chief coach of Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) just one month after accepting the job from National Sports Council (NSC).

He said he wanted to return home to be close to his family. "I have no problem with SRAM or NSC. I just need to be with my family. My three children are very young and I want to be with them", said 42-year-old Jamshed. "I am negotiating with Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) for a coaching job".

NSC's director of international preparations, Ahmad Shapawi Ismail, said,"we received letter last week and it came as surprise because we had just renewed his contract last month.

"We called him up to find out what happened and he said he had some personal problems in Pakistan and we accepted resignation." He said under contract, Jamshed was required to give three months' notice for termination of service. "He is allowed to leave in one month but will not be paid during the period. He has some accumulated leave and we expect him to leave after middle of the month", Shapawi said.

Jamshed who has been coaching for past 27 years, earlier had stints with teams of Kuwait (1987) and Qatar (1989). He was also coach of Pakistan team between 1995 and 1997. He also coached former world champion Jansher Khan in 1994.

His decision to quit will certainly disrupt preparations of Malaysian team for Asian Championships in Bukit Jalil from June 18-26. "I know I am leaving at a very crucial time because we have to build strong team for Asian Championships." said Jamshed. -PPI