ISLAMABAD - Former Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president and ex-prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali is all set to become new PHF president within next couple of weeks.
The sources informed this scribe that the prime minister was very upset with the current incompetent PHF management and wanted to bring in a Noor Khan like person and his installed structure who may safe hockey blushes and command respect among hockey circles, Olympians, players and masses. “The PM has already talked to Jamali and conveyed message through his military secretary.”
The sources said Jamali had agreed in principle to take over the helm of PHF affairs, as he enjoyed tremendous success in his short six-month tenure and earned a lot of respect for Pakistan hockey at international level. “Now, the PHF will be lot more broad and like national hockey federation, unlike of past practice of granting all the powers to four districts and three or four persons running the affairs and free to take decisions of their liking,” the sources said and added when Pakistan hockey team’s participation in 2008 Olympics was under serious doubts, Jamali handled the situation quite well and only in six-month tenure, he steadied Pakistan hockey ship.
The sources said there were a few front runners as former Olympian Samiullah was also in the line to take over the helm of PHF affairs, but due to his affiliation with a certain political party, his name was chopped while former secretary Brig (R) Khalid Khokhar was also a front runner for the president slot. “Former Olympian and captain Shahbaz Senior is a hot favorite to take secretary slot, while Olympian Naveed Alam is also a dark horse and main contender for secretary slot.”
The sources said that the government didn’t need to issue SRO or appoint an ad-hoc on PHF, as there was a very simple solution of getting rid of both Chaudhry Akhtar Rasool and Rana Mujahid. “Akhtar Rasool is convicted in Supreme Court attack and Rana Mujahid is facing two inquires – one of trying to establish parallel Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and second of facing allegations of misuse of Rs 100 million funds of national games and already inquiry is being underway in this regard.”
The sources said: “Shahbaz Senior is running from post to pillar to land secretary post and posing himself as hot favorite, while former world cup winning goalkeeper Mansoor Ahmed is also very much in the frame to land some important post in the new set up, while former PHF secretary Col Mudassar is also a candidate for the secretary slot.”
“For the past 10 years, there was no hockey system existed in the country. The IPC minister probe committee will meet today (Thursday) at Pakistan Sports Complex. The hockey federation officials and head coach Shahnaz Shaikh were asked to bring their reports. The decision has already been made in principle to show the door to incompetent management, as only meager formalities are left,” the sources concluded.