THE Pakistan hockey team finished at number eight in Beijing Olympics 2008, the worst performance as far as one can remember.

As a consequence, a lot of people in the Pakistan Hockey Federation, including the chief selector and the coaching staff, have resigned from their posts.

It was rather unnecessary for all of them to resign, for only the ones who do not really belong there should have gone.

Former Olympian Islahuddin has been an accomplished hockey player and is the kind whom the organisation needs, for accomplished former hockey players are always an asset to the hockey federation.

On the other hand, Zafarullah Jamali, the man who one would seriously doubt knows anything about hockey in practical sense, is still holding on to the presidentship of the PHF and refuses to let go of it voluntarily.

He should follow in Dr Naseem Ashraf's footsteps and call it a day and just leave the hockey scene for some former ball player to run the show. Enough damage has been done to our hockey.

It would make sense to have a qualified medical doctor head a medical organisation. Let similar sense prevail when it comes to running a sports body.

SYED AQEEL SARWAR

Lahore