Pakistan’s hockey team has a new head coach ahead of the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy. Former Olympian Tahir Zaman has been appointed to lead the team, replacing Roelant Oltmans who declined a short-term contract. The tournament will take place in Hulunbuir city, China, starting on September 8th.
Zaman, a respected figure in Pakistani hockey, boasts a wealth of experience. He previously served as coach for the national junior team and holds a master’s degree in coaching from the International Hockey Federation (FIH). His playing career saw him achieve notable success, including a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics, and victories in the 1994 World Cup and Champions Trophy.
The sudden appointment of Zaman was necessitated by Oltmans’ decision to decline a short-term contract. Oltmans, who had been coaching the team for their last two international events, initially planned to join the team directly in China. However, he demanded a long-term contract at the last minute, leading to the PHF’s decision to appoint Zaman. Zeeshan Ashraf has been named the team manager for the tournament.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has also addressed concerns surrounding the team’s preparation. A PHF official attributed the challenges to delays in releasing funds for the tournament by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). There have also been reports of tensions between team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt and some players, along with the assistant coaches. However, the PHF official denied any rift within the team, stating that the players are united and ready for the tournament.
The Asian Champions Trophy will see Pakistan face off against arch-rivals India on September 14th. Other participating teams include Korea, China, Japan, and Malaysia. The tournament promises to be a competitive affair, and Pakistan will be aiming to perform strongly under their new leadership.
