LAHORE The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has appointed former goalkeeper Shahid Ali Khan as the new head coach of the national side, replacing Ayaz Mahmood, PHF President Qasim Zia said on Friday.

Meanwhile the current PHF General Secretary Asif Bajwa has been appointed the manager of national hockey team.

'We had announced Ayaz Mehmood as the team's coach but he could not get permission from his employer PIA so we have to take the decision to appoint new coach to run the senior team camp,' Zia said.

He added that the selection committee had picked 30 capable players including four senior players Sohail Abbas, Rehan Butt, Wasim Ahmad and Salman Akbar but they have their contract with Dutch clubs to play league hockey there.

'We have asked the players to get permission from their clubs to join the camp of the national team at least three weeks prior to the Asia cup,' he opined.

Talking about the central contract of the players, Zia said that they had not reached a final decision at the moment but would observe their performances before announcing the contract.

To a question on the foreign consultant, Qasim said that Tazelaar has been busy with the academies in different cities and the PHF has succeeded in making a coaching manual available to provide uniform coaching across the country.

Meanwhile, newly appointed coach Shahid Ali Khan said that he had taken the responsibility as the challenge adding that they would try their best to win the Asia Cup and qualify to play the world cup. 'I will not compromise on fitness and discipline among the players during the camp,' he added.

Qasim disclosed that Shahid Ali Khan was appointed after PIA did not release Ayaz Mahmood, who was earlier appointed as coach.

According to the PHF, the national carrier had earlier given similar treatment to the junior team's head coach Qamar Ibrahim.

Kamran Ashraf and Shahbaz junior will assist the new coach Shahid Ali Khan.