KARACHI, Sept 10: Pakistan senior and junior hockey team managements are likely to go through some changes after team's dismal performance at Athens Olympics last month.

The senior side is likely to have Asif Bajwa who will assist coach Roelant Oltmans replacing Tahir Zaman who is currently in England on a personal trip. Since Tahir was not available for comments, it is, however, uncertain whether he has quit or PHF has asked him to leave.

It is also unclear that whether the changes will be the outcome of the Olympic failure or Tahir and the PHF opted to part company because of some other reasons. Tahir had replaced Hanif Khan after the 2002 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

After a series of pathetic performances at Champions Trophy, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, Tahir was later demoted as assistant coach after top officials decided to hire Dutchman Oltmans last December on a one-year contract.

Asif is attached with the junior team as coach and is being assisted by Ikhlaq Ahmad and Jan Mohammad. His last assignment was the Jr Asia Cup in Karachi in April where Pakistan finished as losing finalists after arch-rivals India beat them 5-2.

In yet another expected development, there are strong rumours that Olympian Kamran Ashraf, who announced his retirement after staging a comeback and a dismal show at Commonwealth Games and Cologne Champions Trophy, may replace Asif.

There are indications that Ikhlaq and Jan Mohammad could be relieved from their duties. Although Asif admitted changes in the senior team were on the cards, he added he had not been intimated officially about developments.

"I have also been hearing rumours that I will be asked to join the senior side. But the fact is that neither I have been contacted by any PHF official in this regard nor is there any responsible official at the moment from whom I could confirm.

"As for the changes in the junior team, I have no official or unofficial knowledge. The secretary of the PHF is in Kuala Lumpur to attend Asian Hockey Federation meetings and is expected back by Sept 15. The developments could be confirmed once he returns from Malaysia," he said.

Pakistan are to play an eight-match home and away series against India. The series starts with the game in Karachi on Sept 24. It will be followed by December's Champions Trophy in Lahore. According to Asif, juniors are expected to assemble for a home series probably against South Korea followed by a tour of Europe.