LAHORE - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Thursday appointed Chaudhry Akhtar Rasool as chief coach and manager of Pakistan national hockey team while sacked foreign coach Michel van den for breaching of contract.
Talking to the reporters after 22nd Executive Board meeting of the federation here at the National Hockey Stadium on Thursday, PHF president Qasim Zia said: "The executive board of the PHF met here and unanimously agreed that a coach who signed another contract besides having a valid contract with Pakistan is not acceptable. Former captain and Olympian Akhtar Rasool was appointed as the new head coach and team manager and the PHF will take legal action against Van den Heuvel.”
The Dutchman said his contract with the Dutch club starts after the Olympics. "What I know is that I have a contract with the PHF until the Olympics and expect them to respect the contract," he told the media from his home country. "The PHF knew very well that I was not going to continue with them after the Olympics and as a professional coach I need a job," he added. Akhtar Rasool said he would do his best. "I have taken this post as a challenge and will do my best to regain the lost glory," he hoped.
To a query regarding those players who participated in Indian World Series Hockey, PHF secretary Asif Bajwa said: “All those players who participated in Indian Hockey League, their case has been referred to PHF Disciplinary Committee who will form recommendations in the light of PHF Constitution and FIH Directive for the Executive Board who will give them clear chance to plead their case before the decision is reached.”
He further said that PHF president Qasim Zia has announced amount of Rs 1,600,000 for all the four provinces, FATA, Islamabad and AJK saying that the amount has been delivered to respective Secretaries soon.