KARACHI, Feb 26: Pakistan junior hockey team coach Ayaz Mahmood quit on Wednesday, saying he prefers his career and family rather being a national trainer.

“I have set my priorities and want to fully devote myself to my job with PIA and my family. Hockey is and will remain in my blood. But I can’t sacrifice my career for it,” the former Olympian said.

Ayaz, who did not join the junior camp in Lahore for the Akhbar Al Youm tournament in Cairo, Egypt, next month, because of delay in release orders from PIA, said his department had given him a go-ahead for the national duty.

“But since I have made up my mind, I won’t be going along with the squad to Egypt. I have intimated my organization about my preferences. I will also inform Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) about my decision officially soon,” he said.

According to the former coach, he had been released by PIA some four of five days ago. The camp, set up since Feb 15, was supervised by assistant coach Asif Bajwa in Ayaz’s absence.

Ayaz, 38, elaborated he had ample opportunities to grow after being absorbed by PIA marketing department, he had decided against joining the camp and going with the squad to Egypt despite being allowed to do so by his organization.

“I am working in marketing department on attachment basis. I want to show that I am serious in my job. Although PIA has released me for the national duty, chances of promotion will be reduced if I take release for hockey frequently.

“Then I have a family to take care of. Being the only male member of the family, I have kids to look after. I can’t neglect them to groom the children of the nation,” he contended.

Ayaz, also a former senior team coach, was non-committal when asked whether he had decided to bid farewell to hockey for ever. ”Right now I have other preferences. Things change in one’s life. I can’t say anything for sure about the future.”

The 1984 Los Angeles Olympic gold medallist also coached the junior squad which finished fifth at Junior World Cup in Milton Keynes, England in 1997.

He was then elevated and became the senior team coach in 1998 before Pakistan-India series and Utrecht World Cup and was sacked along with manager Islahuddin Siddiqi after the team finished fifth.

Ayaz, however, said there was no clash between him and the PHF and it was purely a personal reason due to which he had taken the decision.

During his second brief 10-month stint with the junior team, his side finished at rock bottom at four-nation Akhbar Al Youm in October last year. His second and the last assignment was an Under-19 international event in Kuala Lumpur in January this year where his side could manage third place.

The former centre-half suggested the PHF to focus on physical fitness of the players who, he said, should be taught the basics of the game.

“The youngsters have potential all they need is good training, exposure, drills. There would have been many replacements for the seniors had the PHF started discovering talent at grassroots level some three years ago,” Ayaz said.

However, he felt unsatisfied on the selection of the juniors for the next month’s event in Cairo saying the squad which was selected for the last contest in Kuala Lumpur, should have been retained instead of making changes.