KARACHI Following Pakistan's shameful hockey performance in the World Cup in New Delhi, many legendary players have come to join hands once again to start a fresh campaign, this time to oust the current top brass of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).
The cause is being supported by several former international players as well as Olympians including Qamar Zia, Islahuddin Siddiqui, Rashid-ul-Hassan, Qamar Ibrahim and Shahnaz Sheikh.
A similar campaign known as the 'Go Jamali Go' movement had also been carried out after the national team's finishing eighth in the 2008 Beijing Olympics following which the then PHF President Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali faxed his resignation to the game's patron Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
Speaking to Dawn on Friday, former Olympian Rashid-ul-Hassan said that he was not surprised by the World Cup results.
“Pakistan would have come 16th had there been 16 teams playing in the event. It was evident from the body language of the players that they just couldn't compete at this level,” he said.
“The day we lost to Canada to finish last in the mega event will go down as a black day in the history of hockey here,” said the former Olympian who organised a grand silver jubilee celebration of Pakistan's last Olympic gold in hockey last year in his hometown Gojra.
“I also fail to see why Qasim Zia dissolved the team management and selection committee when just sacking his secretary would have remedied the situation,” he said.
“Bajwa is the cause of all evil in Pakistan hockey today. He is the secretary, team manager, chief coach, selector and just about everything in Pakistan hockey today. Get rid of him and things will improve on their own,” he added spitting further venom.
When reminded that it was Shahid Ali Khan, who happened to be the chief coach, Rashid said “No, Shahid is just a dummy coach. Bajwa is the main man behind all the decisions here.
“He is involved in all kinds of politics here, even at the club level where he has successfully managed to snub the good talent emerging at the grassroots level. How can you even think of getting anywhere in hockey when you even prevent fresh talent from coming up, which is what happened when Bajwa rigged the regional association elections,” he pointed out.
“If Qasim Zia does not sack Asif Bajwa now, all of us including international players and Olympians will have our reservations before even thinking about offering our services to help lift the sport here,” he concluded.
The campaign will begin with a press conference at Qamar Zia's house here around noon on Sunday.
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