KARACHI, Dec 27: Pakistan soccer coach Salman Ahmed Sharida said on Tuesday he would not tolerate selection committee any more and he would be sole authority for selecting the players. “There will be no more selection committee. I will be the only person to select the team and will be responsible for the results in future,” the Bahraini told Dawn.

The Bahraini said he never tolerated any interference during his stints as coach in Bahrain and he would continue to enjoy the sweeping powers in Pakistan.

“I have been Bahrain junior, youth and senior team coach. I never accepted any selection committee.

“I would freely select the players at all levels in Bahrain. And I intend to do so here in Pakistan the same thing,” said Sharida.

Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) did not have the selection committee during the tenure of AFC-appointed British coaches David Burns and John Layton.

However, after the departure of foreigners in 2003, the PFF reverted to old system of selection by appointing a selection committee with Younis Changezi as the chief selector.

Sharida had complained that he would like to explore some new players since he felt he might have missed some talented players. The coach had been given a group of 30 odd players soon after the trials for Asian Cup play-offs and SAFF championship.

Sharida said he would like to start talent-hunt after a week’s rest and would like to focus on having more talented strikers.

“I did what I can during the play-off against Bangladesh. But players were not able to score goals because we don’t have strikers.

“I planned and asked the players to follow the tactics as told. But this is all I can do. I like to see more strikers in the team, although there are quite a few talented players in the present squad.”

The coach said he would be in Bahrain owing to his personal commitment and would be exploring fresh talent after a week following his return.

The coach would be concentrating on under-23 players since Pakistan are to take part in the SAF Games to be hosted by Colombo next year.

“I can only say that my side was unlucky. We created several scoring opportunites but got nothing. The reason is we don’t have good strikers. Whereas Bangladesh had a couple of chances and scored one goal.”

The coach said not only he would be focussing on quality but he would like to have quantity also to have constant backup players. “I want to have more reserve quality players so that we can have as many substitutes as we want.”