ISLAMABAD A three-member committee has been appointed by the Federal Sports Ministry on Monday to probe Pakistan`s hockey debacle in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Headed by Member National Assembly (MNA) Rana Farooq Saeed, the committee also includes Olympians Shahbaz Ahmed and Abdul Waheed.

An official spokesman of the sports ministry told Dawn that the committee will review the performance of the hockey team and submit recommendation to strengthen the declining state of national hockey.

Pakistan performed poorly in the Beijing Olympics despite having the potential to perform well. The green-shirts - three time gold medalists - finished eighth out of 12 nations.

The spokesman added that the recommendation and results of the probe committee will be forwarded to the Pakistan Hockey Federation Patron in Chief — Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Giliani.

Committee member Shahbaz Ahmed, also known as the man with electric heels`, was the captain of the national side which won the 1994 Mens Hockey World Cup against Netherlands.

Abdul Waheed was part of the team which won Pakistan`s first gold medal in the 1960 games in Rome by defeating India.

When asked about the background of MNA Rana Farooq Saeed, the convener of the committee, the official said that Saeed was a collegiate hockey player and remained actively involved with the sport in his constituency.

“The committee member can consult any person and co-opt with any one whom they believe helpful for coming up with strong suggestions” the official said.

“The probe committee will submit their findings in October” the official concluded.