ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Sports Najamuddin Khan Monday sacked Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Khalid Mehmood and appointed Asif Bajwa on ad-hoc basis till further orders. The federal minister, in his capacity as President Pakistan Sports Board, exercised his powers (PSB Rules, 1981) and sent home the PHF official. Khalid Mehmood, a former Olympian, had joined the federation in April 2007. A senior hockey official said that the PHF president Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali would continue to work till Beijing Olympics. However, there were rumours that Mir Zafarullah Khan had also decided to resign but he had been asked to work till the Beijing Olympics. Jamali and other sports board officials did not confirm this news. A source in the PSB said that Qasim Zia, a political leader from ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is likely to take over as new PHF president. He is busy in the by-election these days. However, the source said Zia did not want to take over before the Beijing Olympics, which will be held from August 8-24. Given the team's current status, Zia would not like to take over before Olympics. "Jamali will continue till the Beijing Olympic 2008," he said.   An official of the sports ministry said: "Although Pakistan won the four-nation tournament in Dublin by beating Canada 3-2 in the final on Monday, the overall performance of the team in international events including Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament 2008 has been blew par and the change in the PHF was needed to stream-line the affairs of federation". He said that they could not overlook the affairs of national game. "It is our national game and we have tremendous record in this game. Pakistan have won Olympic Games hockey three times. We wish to see hockey on top once again. The government will fully support the PHF for promotion of the game at grassroots level and will also provide maximum opportunities to upcoming players," he added. Newly-appointed secretary Asif Bajwa, a former ace striker, represented Pakistan from 1992 to 96 and participated in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, Spain. He played 74 international matches and scored 25 goals during his international career. He also trained national junior players and performed the duties of national coach. Bajwa was also an important member of the Pakistan team which had won the World Cup Hockey in 1994 at Sydney, Australia. Former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali had taken over the charge in 2006. He had replaced Tariq Kirmani who had resigned from this post after poor show of national team.