LAHORE, May 10: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), in the wake of senior team's poor showing in the World Cup qualifying tournament, has sacked manager Saeed Khan and coach Rana Mujahid while retaining Asif Bajwa as head coach.

Rana Mujahid has been replaced by Rana Zaheer Ahmad Babar while Asif Bajwa has been entrusted with the additional responsibilities of the manager, said Brig (retd) Musarratullah Khan, secretary, PHF on Wednesday.

Asif was associated with Pak senior team in 2004 when he was assistant coach with the then Dutchman Roelant Oltmans. He was made chief coach after the foreign coach completed his one-year assignment.

Saeed was also associated with the team as manager since 2004. He was joined by Rana Mujahid in August 2005.

Pakistan finished fourth in the World Cup qualifying tournament in China last month losing in the semifinals which posed a number of questions on the poor showing of the team.

PHF Secretary said the reports of the team management regarding the performance of the team in the international events was thoroughly sifted and analyzed.

“The PHF management taking into consideration all the factors, was of the considered opinion that the continuity of the team management officials should be maintained as a rapport was established between the players and the trainers.

It had to be development further, properly channelised and effectively enforced,” he said.

PHF secretary said for the specialised training of the goalkeepers, Shahid Ali Khan, has been included in the team management. Faizur Rehman will be the Physiotherapist with the team.

“The trio would be responsible as Team Management for the international events, from Azlan Shah Cup in June through the World Cup in September 2006”, said PHF official.

PHF secretary said the decision has been taken in the best interest and in all sincerity and hoped that all speculations should come to an end and wished success to the new team management for the onerous task ahead.—APP