London 2012 Hockey debacle: Report puts blame on chef de mission Aqil Shah

By Ubaid Awan

Secretary PHF, Asif Bajwa

KARACHI (TheSportsNext) September 3, 2012: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) confirmed Monday that it has received report by coach Khawaja Junaid and manager Akhtar Rasool about the dismal performance of national hockey team in the recently concluded London 2012 Olympic Games.

Pakistan hockey team ended seventh after two humiliating defeats against England and Australia and former Olympians and sports journalists had been asking questions about the reasons that led the team to the worst position.

Sohail Abbas and Wasim Ahmad

Talking to reporters on Monday, Secretary PHF, Asif Bajwa said, “We will discuss the tour report in house with the president and other officials”.

When asked about the content of the report, Asif Bajwa denied giving any details saying, “Hockey report is confidential and can't make any further comments at this stage”.

However, TheSportsNext.com got content of the report which put the blame of hockey debacle on Chef de Mission, Mr. Aqil Shah, saying he continued playing dirty psychological games with the players thus putting them under tremendous pressure which never allowed them to focus on their performance.

Sources told this scribe that the report prepared by coach Khawaja Junaid and manager Akhtar Rasool put the whole blame on Aqil Shah and alleged that he kept telling Wasim Ahmad and Sohail Abbas that they will be tested positive for doping.

Moreover, Mr. Shah also kept blaming the hockey players that they will be made to drink some drowsy supplement which would make them tested positive in doping tests and they will apply for political asylum in the Great Britain.

Sohail Abbas at London2012 Opening Ceremony

The report further elaborated that due to childish behavior of the Chef de Mission, players couldn’t concentrate on their game and preparations and in the end fell short of their skills rather their focus was on saving their skins amid such serious allegations.

The team management has handed the report to the PHF authorities and Asif Bajwa told reporters that president and other officials of the Federation will take stock of the report and then decide the future course of action.