Pakistan hockey looking to hire foreign coach

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has appointed former Olympian Hanif Khan as the chief selector, and is looking to hire a foreign coach and appoint a psychologist for the national hockey squad in order put the national game back on track following a disastrous World Cup.

Pakistan had finished last in the just concluded 12-nation event in New Delhi.

Talking to reports after a meeting of the executive board, PHF president Qasim Zia said new members of the selection committee have been appointed and added that the federation has taken several steps to streamline things following the deplorable show in New Delhi.

Following their poor show in the World Cup, the whole of Pakistani hockey team had resigned owning the responsibility for the humiliating last place finish. The selection committee was also dissolved.

Zia said that the PHF is contemplating hiring a foreign coach and is in negotiations with some of the top coaches of the world.

 "At the moment the federation is in a process of negotiations with three to four foreign coaches and the most suitable candidate will be selected keeping in view our requirements," The Daily Times quoted Zia, as saying.

Sources said the PHF was close to appoint German hockey coach Paul Lissek as Pakistan's coach, but the series of bomb blasts in Lahore earlier this month, in which over 50 people were killed, had prevented him from taking up  the job.

Lissek, who is currently working as a consultant with Hockey Australia, has served as Germany and Malaysia's head coach for several years and almost signed a contract to work with India a couple of years back.