KARACHI: Former Olympians on Friday threatened to kick start a nation-wide campaign for the removal of Asif Bajwa as secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) after the Greenshirts flopped miserably in the Hockey World Cup in Delhi.
“Asif Bajwa is responsible our team’ pathetic show in the World Cup, he should be sacked immediately,” said Olympian Qamar Zia.
“We launched a Go-Jamali-Go campaign two years back and will not hesitate to begin a similar campaign to save Pakistan hockey,” added Qasim, who said that he and fellow Olympians will hold a press conference on Sunday (tomorrow) to announce their plans to save Pakistan hockey.
Back in 2008, former Pakistan greats pushed for the sacking of Zafarullah Khan Jamali, the then PHF president, after finished finished on a poor eighth position in the Olympic Games in Beijing. Jamali was removed and was replaced by Qasim Zia last year.
In spite of repeated calls from former Olympians, Qasim Zia has refused to sack Bajwa as PHF secretary.
Islahuddin, former Pakistan captain, urged Bajwa to resign as PHF secretary.
“Bajwa should resign himself as secretary because he is the biggest culprit of our World Cup disaster,” Islah told this correspondent.
“If Bajwa is not brave enough to quit then PHF president should sack him,” added Islah.
Muhammad Saqlain, another former skipper, said that Bajwa called all the shots as the PHF secretary and Pakistan team manager and should take responsibility for his team’s last-place finish in the World Cup.
“Bajwa is the main culprit, he must go,” said Saqlain.
Muhammad Shafiq, who was sacked along with other national selectors, said that there is no justification for shifting the entire blame on the selectors.
“Holding only selection committee responsible is not justified because it’s the PHF secretary who is responsible for running the hockey affairs,” said Shafiq.
“Bajwa removed talented Shafqat Rasool because of personal grudge, his presence could have made a difference,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Shahid Ali Khan, who was sacked as Pakistan coach after the catastrophic showing in the World Cup, said that the former Olympians were barking up the wrong tree.
“As coach, I am responsible for our team’s defeat in the World Cup,” he told ‘The News’ from New Delhi. “It is totally wrong to single out Asif Bajwa for the team’s poor showing,” said the former Olympian.
Shahid said that Pakistan has suffered a huge blow in Delhi and hoped that better sense will prevail and proper steps will be taken to bounce back from the debacle.
“I believe that what Pakistan hockey needs at the moment are positive and constructive steps so that our team can bounce back from this disaster,” he said. “I hope that the PHF will find good coaches and selectors to put this team back on track.”
Commenting on his players’ decision to retire after finishing 12th in the World Cup, Shahid hoped that the players will change their mind and focus on getting ready for future events like the Asian Games.
“Asif Bajwa is responsible our team’ pathetic show in the World Cup, he should be sacked immediately,” said Olympian Qamar Zia.
“We launched a Go-Jamali-Go campaign two years back and will not hesitate to begin a similar campaign to save Pakistan hockey,” added Qasim, who said that he and fellow Olympians will hold a press conference on Sunday (tomorrow) to announce their plans to save Pakistan hockey.
Back in 2008, former Pakistan greats pushed for the sacking of Zafarullah Khan Jamali, the then PHF president, after finished finished on a poor eighth position in the Olympic Games in Beijing. Jamali was removed and was replaced by Qasim Zia last year.
In spite of repeated calls from former Olympians, Qasim Zia has refused to sack Bajwa as PHF secretary.
Islahuddin, former Pakistan captain, urged Bajwa to resign as PHF secretary.
“Bajwa should resign himself as secretary because he is the biggest culprit of our World Cup disaster,” Islah told this correspondent.
“If Bajwa is not brave enough to quit then PHF president should sack him,” added Islah.
Muhammad Saqlain, another former skipper, said that Bajwa called all the shots as the PHF secretary and Pakistan team manager and should take responsibility for his team’s last-place finish in the World Cup.
“Bajwa is the main culprit, he must go,” said Saqlain.
Muhammad Shafiq, who was sacked along with other national selectors, said that there is no justification for shifting the entire blame on the selectors.
“Holding only selection committee responsible is not justified because it’s the PHF secretary who is responsible for running the hockey affairs,” said Shafiq.
“Bajwa removed talented Shafqat Rasool because of personal grudge, his presence could have made a difference,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Shahid Ali Khan, who was sacked as Pakistan coach after the catastrophic showing in the World Cup, said that the former Olympians were barking up the wrong tree.
“As coach, I am responsible for our team’s defeat in the World Cup,” he told ‘The News’ from New Delhi. “It is totally wrong to single out Asif Bajwa for the team’s poor showing,” said the former Olympian.
Shahid said that Pakistan has suffered a huge blow in Delhi and hoped that better sense will prevail and proper steps will be taken to bounce back from the debacle.
“I believe that what Pakistan hockey needs at the moment are positive and constructive steps so that our team can bounce back from this disaster,” he said. “I hope that the PHF will find good coaches and selectors to put this team back on track.”
Commenting on his players’ decision to retire after finishing 12th in the World Cup, Shahid hoped that the players will change their mind and focus on getting ready for future events like the Asian Games.
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