Pakistan coach for men’s hockey team Tahir Zaman has refused to accompany the national team to Dhaka for a three-match series against Bangladesh, citing interference by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) in selection matters.
Why Pakistan Coach Refuses To Travel With Hockey Team To Bangladesh
The squad departed on Sunday without the former Olympian, who objected to the last-minute inclusion of certain players he had not approved. According to PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid, Zaman was unhappy about the decision to include players who joined the training camp late.
“Tahir had taken the stand that latecomers to the training camp in Islamabad should not be included in the national squad,” Mujahid said. He confirmed that Zaman had specifically objected to the inclusion of Rana Wahid and Hammad Anjum, both of whom joined the camp late due to their contracts with foreign leagues.
Mujahid added that the PHF had agreed to impose cash penalties on players who reported late, explaining that at least ten players had arrived behind schedule because of prior commitments.
The series in Dhaka has been organized by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to give Pakistan an opportunity to qualify for the Hockey World Cup, after the team missed the Asia Cup in India earlier this year- an event that served as a qualifier.
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A source close to Zaman said the coach had made it clear that discipline and authority were essential for improving team performance. “Unless players understand that the head coach has the final say, there can be no real progress,” the source added.
With Zaman opting out of the tour, team manager Mohammad Usman will assume additional responsibilities as head coach during the Dhaka series.
Mujahid expressed hope that the issue would be resolved soon, noting that both the PHF and Zaman wanted the best for Pakistan hockey. However, he also hinted that if the matter remained unresolved, the federation could consider appointing foreign coaches in the future.
