PHF sacks Michel, appoints Akhtar Rasool as chief coach

The Pakistan Hockey Federation on Thursday appointed Chaudhry Akhtar Rasool as chief coach and manager of the London-bound Pakistan team.
The decision was taken in the 22nd PHF Executive Board meeting of the PHF held here at the National Hockey Stadium.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Asif Bajwa, secretary PHF said: “All the decisions taken by the house were unanimous and everyone was of the view that Akhtar is the better choice after the Dutch coach Michel van den was sacked by the house.
He said that Khawaja Muhammad Junaid will be the coach of theteam and will be assisted by Shahid Ali Khan and Ajmal Khan Lodhi.
He said that they would have the overall responsibility of the team with the newly-appointed manager cum chief coach.
“The name of Akhtar was purposed by Olympian Hassan Sardar after the foreign Coach Michel van den was sacked for breach of contract.” He further stated that his name was seconded by Olympian Abdul Hanif Khan and the house approved it unanimously.
The ex-Coach Michel van dan is being served with legal notice for the breach.
Bajwa said that the case of the players who participated in Indian Hockey League has been referred to the PHF Disciplinary Committee which will give their recommendations in the light of PHF Constitution and FIH Directive for the Executive Board that will give them clear chance to plead their case before the decision is reached
In the last Executive Board, Qasim Zia, President PHF announced amount of Rs 1600000 for all the four Provinces, FATA, Islamabad and AJK the amount has been delivered to the respective secretaries, he added.