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Pak hockey players retire
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Qasim Zia sacks, management, selection panel
Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Following defeat in the play-off match against Canada for the 11th or 12th position in the FIH World Cup hockey tournament, Pakistani players announced retirement from the game. Pakistan were beaten by Canada 2-3 to finish last in the FIH World Cup being played in New Delhi.
This was the worst performance by any Pakistani team in the history of hockey world cup. In 1986, Pakistan had stood 11th. Captain Zeeshan Ashraf told media that he and his boys apologise to the nation on the team's dismal performance in the World Cup. He said that never in the history of Pakistan, such disappointing performance was displayed and the whole team is sad on the defeat. This is why all the players have decided in a meeting to quit hockey.
Zeeshan said that the players did not make this decision under any pressure but they did it only due to their poor performance. If that wasn't enough, President Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) sacked the entire team management and the selection committee soon after the announcement by the hockey players. Qasim Zia told media that he has made this decision in the capacity of the PHF President due to team's dismal performance in the World Cup. However, Secretary PHF and Manager Pakistan hockey team, Asif Bajwa would continue to work as manage, he added. He said that the Federation's responsibilities include forming team management and selection committee and Bajwa would continue to render services as manager. He said that the PHF is focusing on the Olympics and it is working on this target.
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