The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has appointed former Olympian Hanif Khan as manager-cum-chief coach of the national hockey team on Monday.
Hanif will be assisted by another former Olympian Qamar Ibrahim as coach.
The decision was made following deliberations with the PHF hierarchy over the last few days, said Hanif while confirming the appointments at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium where he is regularly watching matches of the ongoing 62nd National Hockey Championship on Monday.
The former inside left of repute said all players including the seniors and those picked by the selectors during the event will be given fair chance to prove their fitness in the camp.
Responding to a question, he said Azlan Shah hockey tournament will be team’s first international assignment next year.
Hanif added that he will not interfere in the junior team affairs and leave it up to Tahir Zaman to prepare the outfit for the 2016 junior World Cup being held in India.
Welcoming the appointment of his deputy, Hanif, who has recently retired from Customs, said he (Qamar) is a Master Coach and the combination will yield fruitful results.
He thanked the PHF president retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar for reposing confidence in him. “I’ll try my best to live up to the expectations,” said Hanif, who has taken over the reigns of national team after some two years.
