Sports Ministry removes PHF secretary

Lahore, Jun 16 (UNI) In a sensational move, the Federal Sports Ministry today sacked Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Khalid Mahmood, accusing him of mishandling the game in the country.

''The decision to sack Mahmood had been taken because of the rapid decline of hockey in the country,'' Sports Minister Najamuddin Khan said. ''The ministry feels there is an urgent need to stop this decline and prepare a good team for the Olympics where hockey is our main medal hope.'' ''We have been watching with great distress the way hockey which is our national sport has been going downhill. We are bringing in new blood to stop this rot and improve things. All sports federations are now answerable to the ministry for their performances,'' he added.

Former Olympian Asif Bajwa has been appointed as the interim secretary of the PHF.

The move comes just two months before the Beijing Olympics which is due to take place in August.

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