KARACHI, Jan 11: Pakistan hockey coach Hanif Khan said Friday he would end his year-long coaching stint after next month’s World Cup to pave the way for others to take the reins of the squad.

“I have had enough and have completed my tenure. I have no wish to carry on and now I want to give others a chance to serve the country for the betterment of hockey,” the former left-in told Dawn.

The 44-year-old former Pakistan captain, who had taken the charge of the national side on Jan 27, 2001, said he had no regrets or hard feelings. “I just want to take a rest and to train at domestic level.”

Hanif said he would not give a second thought to his decision of stepping down as the coach even if asked by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to continue after the World Cup.

An outspoken former striker, Hanif, who had played 160 international games and scored 129 goals, along with coaches Shahbaz Ahmad and Khawaja Junaid, was assigned by the PHF to train the national team till the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

Controversial forward Shahbaz opted to don the green shirt for the third time after a lapse of little over three years after he was recalled for the Rotterdam Champions Trophy. His inclusion, however, backfired since he failed to deliver what was expected of him.

Hanif and Junaid are still at the helm while manager Brig Khalid Khokhar is also serving in the same position.

Hanif replied in negative when asked if he had taken the decision to quit after being told by the PHF that Kuala Lumpur would be his last outing with the squad.

“Neither have I talked to the PHF officials, nor have they told me anything regarding my future after the World Cup,” he said.

Hanif said he was satisfied with the showing of the side since he took over last January, claiming the team had shown signs of improvement and considered the team that played Champions Trophy in Rotterdam last November an ideal outfit.

“The team that participated in the Rotterdam’s Trophy is now among the top four teams of the world. Apart from Germany, The Netherlands and Australia, Pakistan can also win the World Cup,” he said.

The team management has been under heavy fire from the critics after what they called a series of dismal performances last year.

Under Hanif’s wings, Pakistan lost to India on penalties in the final of the Prime Minister’s Gold Cup in Dhaka in March, had a bag of mixed fortunes during the June-July’s European tour. They lost Test matches against Belgium and Spain, but won the series against the Netherlands, and finished second behind Germany in a four-nation tournament.

At August’s Azlan Shah Cup in Kuala Lumpur and November’s Champions Trophy in Rotterdam, all Hanif’s boys could do was to manage a fourth spot.

Hanif, who will be bidding fare well for the third time as coach, suggested the PHF to focus on domestic hockey and to utilise the clutch of coaches to hunt for talent yet untapped. “The new generation be given the chance to coach the Juniors to get better results.”

SIX-NATION CONTEST: Hanif was critical of PHF’s decision to hold camp in Lahore for Jan 18 to 28 six-nation tournament in Kuala Lumpur, saying foggy and cold weather hampered the team’s preparations.