Former Olympians want govt to replace Jamali

KARACHI - Squarely placing all the blame for current morass in national hockey and Pakistan's lowest ever ranking in Beijing Olympics, a number of former Olympians and internationals pleaded the government to replace Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali as president PHF.

The plea was made at a gathering of former hockey players held here Thursday late evening at a local hotel. Former international Shafiq Ahmed who organised the gathering led criticism on Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and alleged that under him the hockey system in Pakistan had been destroyed. Pakistan's 8th ranking in Beijing was reflective of the fact how low the national sport had slumped under Jamali who had refused to leave the PHF.

All those connected with Pakistan hockey in Beijing Olympics had respectfully resigned but Jamali had refused to quit. Pakistan hockey's decline would not stop unless Jamali leaves, he added.

Shafiq Ahmed had succeeded in garnering the support of a good number of former players but notable absentee from the gathering which at times looked like a political rally was former Olympian Hanif Khan who was expected to attend and sit at the top of the table. Those who sat on the main dais were Hasan Sardar, former PHF secretary Akhtarul Islam, Mansoor Khan, a banker and a former provincial player, Nasir Ali, striker Saleem Sherwani, Wasim Feroz, Rashidul Hasan. A number of Karachi-based more known and senior hockey players were not there.