ISLAMABAD: Sports Minister Ejaz Jakhrani on Tuesday asked the members of the national hockey team to withdraw their resignation, saying some of them are still good enough to serve Pakistan hockey.
Jakhrani met the players, who had resigned en masse after finishing last in the recent World Cup in New Delhi, and later told the media that he has also asked Pakistan Hockey Federation President Qasim Zia not to accept the players' resignation.
The minister felt the decision to resign en masse was an emotional decision and many of the players could still serve Pakistan hockey.
"I have told the PHF President not to accept their retirement decisions. What happened in the World Cup was very disappointing but we need to learn from our mistakes," he said.
Qasim Zia also attended the meeting which lasted for an hour and in which the minister heard the players' version of the debacle.
He also made it clear that no decision had been taken on removing Asif Bajwa as secretary of the federation.
Jakhrani, however, made it clear that since the PHF came under the control of the Sports Ministry, he would decide if Bajwa will stay or go.
"I will consult with the higher authorities and if we feel that by sacking Bajwa Pakistan hockey can improve, we will remove him," he said.
He also dispelled the impression that Qasim Zia was trying to protect Bajwa.
"I don't think so. Else he would not have sacked him immediately as manager of the team," he said.
Jakhrani said the players had told him reports of match-fixing in the tournament or infighting among the players were not true.
"Reports that players had a fight with Bajwa and coach Shahid Ali Khan are also not true. The players admitted they took the decision to retire since they were ashamed at letting the nation down badly," he said.
The Sports Minister also announced that all former Olympians, who wanted the PHF set-up changed, would be included on a management committee and on the new selection committee so that they could be involved in running hockey affairs.
Pakistan's senior player Rehan Butt later told the media that there was not infighting in the team and blamed the team's poor performance in New Delhi to its hectic calendar.
Jakhrani met the players, who had resigned en masse after finishing last in the recent World Cup in New Delhi, and later told the media that he has also asked Pakistan Hockey Federation President Qasim Zia not to accept the players' resignation.
The minister felt the decision to resign en masse was an emotional decision and many of the players could still serve Pakistan hockey.
"I have told the PHF President not to accept their retirement decisions. What happened in the World Cup was very disappointing but we need to learn from our mistakes," he said.
Qasim Zia also attended the meeting which lasted for an hour and in which the minister heard the players' version of the debacle.
He also made it clear that no decision had been taken on removing Asif Bajwa as secretary of the federation.
Jakhrani, however, made it clear that since the PHF came under the control of the Sports Ministry, he would decide if Bajwa will stay or go.
"I will consult with the higher authorities and if we feel that by sacking Bajwa Pakistan hockey can improve, we will remove him," he said.
He also dispelled the impression that Qasim Zia was trying to protect Bajwa.
"I don't think so. Else he would not have sacked him immediately as manager of the team," he said.
Jakhrani said the players had told him reports of match-fixing in the tournament or infighting among the players were not true.
"Reports that players had a fight with Bajwa and coach Shahid Ali Khan are also not true. The players admitted they took the decision to retire since they were ashamed at letting the nation down badly," he said.
The Sports Minister also announced that all former Olympians, who wanted the PHF set-up changed, would be included on a management committee and on the new selection committee so that they could be involved in running hockey affairs.
Pakistan's senior player Rehan Butt later told the media that there was not infighting in the team and blamed the team's poor performance in New Delhi to its hectic calendar.
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