Pakistan hockey team resigns after last place finish

Upset over Pakistan’s worst ever performance in the hockey World Cup, the national Federation today sacked its selection committee and team management while the entire 18-man squad resigned, taking up moral responsibility for the shoddy show.

Pakistan finished in the last position (12th) in the mega event after losing the play-off match to Canada.

Pakistan Hockey Federation President Qasim Zia said the result was against all expectations.

“It is a shameful performance that we have ended up on the last spot in the World Cup, this was something I was not expecting at all from this team,” Zia said.

Zia, a former Olympian himself, said that a committee will be formed to inquire into the debacle.

“The immediate step I could take has been taken, but clearly Pakistan hockey today is at its lowest ebb and we need to take drastic measures to set things right,” he said.

Meanwhile, all the 18 players in the national team have tendered their resignations in New Delhi owning up the moral responsibility for the shabby performance.

“Yes we have resigned. We have taken this decision voluntarily and we want now the youngsters to take over,” senior forward Rehan Butt said.

The sacked chief selector Hasan Sardar announced his resignation just few minutes before the PHF cracked the whip on the selectors, coach Shahid Ali Khan and manager Asif Bajwa.