Pakistan ropes in Dutch expert to rebuild hockey

Karachi: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has roped in Dutch expert Wouter Tazelaar as consultant for a twoyear term to help rebuild the game.

PHF secretary Asif Bajwa said Friday that Tazelaar has confirmed his availability and will begin his stint as PHF consultant from January 7, 2009.

Tazelaar, 41, gave his nod for the post during his stay in Pakistan last month but went back to Holland to consult with his lawyer before signing the agreement.

Tazelaar is a renowned hockey academician who has developed software for coaches and management of the academies to run them on a scientific basis. The software is being used by a number of academies in Europe, South Africa and other countries.

The Dutchman will visit all the eleven academies set up by the PHF in different cities and meet coaches to help them.

“Wouter will directly monitor the academies accompanied with a team of local officials for communication between the coach and the players,” said Bajwa, a former Olympian and national coach.

According to the agreement, Tazelaar would stay in Pakistan for 210 days every year. He would also impart training to the national women hockey team.

Pakistan finished an embarrassing eighth place in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing – the three-time Olympic champions’ worst-ever showing in the Games’ history.

It was under Dutch coach Hans Jorritsma that Pakistan last won a major international title — the World Cup in 1994 in Sydney. IANS