LAHORE, Nov 8: Former Olympian Manzoor-ul-Hasan Senior has expressed his willingness to work with head coach Akhtar Rasool after the latter sought ex-Olympians’ help to revive Pakistan hockey.

“I have great respect for Akhtar Rasool and his invitation to ex-Olympians to assist him in resurrecting national hockey is a positive sign and, at least, I am ready to sit with him to work for the promotion of hockey,” Manzoor told Dawn from Faisalabad.

Last week, the head coach invited all ex-Olympians to help him in revival of the national team.

Manzoor is the first one who has given positive response while another ex-Olympian namely Shahnaz Sheikh has reportedly termed Akhtar’s offer as a ‘political move.’

When asked what kind of role he would like to accept to work with Akhtar, Manzoor who played for Pakistan in 1976 Olympics, said it was not the issue, adding he would first like to discuss with Akhtar the real problems and their possible solutions.

Manzoor believed that the country is blessed with abundant talent and with better policies Pakistan can bounce back in the international arena.

“There is a need to work with devotion and not to promote any individual agenda. With that kind of spirit every stakeholder can help Pakistan,” he remarked.

He said he was given charge of coaching in 1986 when Pakistan finished 11th during the World Cup.

“However I went to every nock and corner of the country and selected the best players and raised quite a strong team for 1990 World Cup,” Manzoor stated.

When asked other ex-Olympians like Shahnaz Sheikh had termed the move as a political one, he stated: “I have respect for Shahnaz Sheikh and all other Olympians and it is their decision, but I believe that if the offer is from a person like  Akhtar Rasool it should be taken seriously,” he maintained.

Manzoor said no individual, but Pakistan’s name was defamed due to the poor performance of the national team and therefore everyone should take decisions while keeping in view the country’s respect.