KARACHI, Sept 25: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) said on Monday it may conduct an inquiry against team captain Mohammad Saqlain and other senior players for their outbursts against manager-cum-coach Shahnaz Shaikh.

“I will be gathering various facts and statements issued by the captain and players against Shahnaz Shaikh before launching an inquiry,” PHF secretary said on his return from a private trip to London.

“It amazed me when I learnt that so much had happened after the World Cup in Germany. Speaking against coach is violation of code of conduct,” he said.

Saqlain in an interview to a foreign radio station said he had no confidence in Shahnaz’s abilities and threatened he would retire if a foreign coach was not hired for upcoming Asian Games.

“I am deeply disappointed with the performance of the Pakistan team. But luck also eluded us at some crucial stages in the World Cup,” secretary said.

Pakistan finished a poor sixth at 12-nation competition after finishing fourth in pool “A” with just a solitary win, two defeats and two draws.

“Defeat against Argentina proved a big blow to Pakistan. We were unlucky when ball twice hit the goal post on penalty corners,” he pointed out.

He admitted that Pakistan are lagging behind in modern hockey as compared to countries like Germany, Australia and Spain. He said German team had 10-member supporting staff who were giving specialized training in all areas of the game.

The PHF official supported Shahnaz for putting his best at the World Cup after taking over charge from Asif Bajwa six weeks before the event.

He said an important meeting of PHF will be held in Lahore on Tuesday to discuss performance of the team. PHF chief Zafarullah Jamali will preside over the meeting, while Shahnaz, Saqlain and other players and officials have also been invited to attend the meeting.

The secretary also supported the idea of infusing young blood into the team keeping an eye on 2008 Beijing Olympics. He said PHF would also consider recalling forward Tariq Aziz who was banned for six months for injuring an Australian player during Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March.

Meanwhile, the secretary said Pakistan had sought help from the game's global governing body in a bid to revive their international fortunes.

They have asked the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to provide a blueprint for reorganizing Pakistani hockey in line with modern requirements.

“The FIH has agreed to send us a comprehensive plan which is based on the modern and scientific concept of the game. Hopefully it will allow us to regain our lost glory,” Akhtar said.

He said Pakistan would now be looking to appoint a physical trainer and sports psychologist to work with the players while they had also not ruled out the option of a foreign coach.

“There is nothing wrong in having a foreign coach if he can lift our standards. We will be discussing this possibility but nothing is final as yet,” the former Olympian said.

He said the appointment of a foreign coach also depended on the financial position of the federation.

“We start planning for the Olympic Games from now,” he added.

Pakistan has in the past had two foreign coaches, Dutchmen Hans Jorritsma and Roelant Oltmans. The former led them to the Champions Trophy and World Cup titles in 1994. Both left in acrimonious circumstances.—Agencies