Pakistan eye foreign coach after World Cup

ISLAMABAD, Aug 6 (Reuters) The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is looking to appoint a foreign coach after the World Cup in Germany in September, a top official said today.

Secretary Akhtar-ul-Islam said Pakistan's hockey community felt a foreign coach could halt the decline in the sport in the country.

''Pakistan hockey has been in a steady decline for some time now and we need to take drastic steps to prevent this rot since hockey is our national sport,'' Islam said.

Yesterday, the PHF appointed former Olympian Shahnaz Shaikh as coach and manager for a three-nation tournament in Hamburg and the World Cup in Moenchengladbach from September 22.

Pakistan have not won a major grand slam title since 1994 when they clinched the Champions Trophy and World Cup under Dutchman Hans Jorritsma.

Pakistan hired another Dutchman Roelant Oltmans ahead of the Athens Olympics. He has now returned to the Netherlands team and led them to a stunning 9-2 victory over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan finished fifth in the six-nation Champions Trophy in Spain and fifth again in the eight-nation Azlan Shah Cup in June under former coach Asif Bajwa.

''We have seen that Jorritsma and Oltmans did bring about positive changes in the team. There is no shame in having a foreign coach. It is a strong option for us,'' Islam said.

''We couldn't find anyone to take charge of the team for the short period before the World Cup. If a foreign coach is hired it would be on long-term basis.'' REUTERS AY BD1445