ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hockey team head coach Tahir Zaman is heading home ahead of the FIH Pro League First Leg’s final match against Argentina, apparently due to the marriage of his daughter, which is planned in Lahore on the 20th of this month.
Even before the start of the Pro League, news emerged that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) was considering hiring a foreign coach, as Tahir was not comfortable with the selection of a few players. “He only told us that he was heading home because of his daughter’s marriage, which is planned in Lahore on December 20. He did not give any other reason for his premature departure from Argentina, leaving the team in the middle,” a PHF official said when contacted.
Tahir, who has been leading the national side for over a year, was displeased with a group of players who joined the training camp late for the three-match World Cup qualifying series against Bangladesh held recently. Rana Waheed and Hammaduddin, along with six others, were directed to report to the Islamabad camp after completing their European Club League.
While most players returned in time, Rana and Hammad were the last to arrive, prompting Tahir to recommend their exclusion from the Bangladesh tour as a disciplinary measure. The PHF, however, decided against the move, citing the players’ importance to the squad and noting that others had also reported late.
Later the patch up was reached and Tahir again decided to accompany the team to Argentina. But he left the team midway and even was missing from the third match Pakistan played against Holland.
Tahir, however, was not available for comments as he was on a flight back home. A source within the team, when contacted in Argentina, also expressed surprise, saying that he was well aware of the marriage and should not have travelled with the team to Argentina.
“He knew well about his daughter’s marriage that was planned four months back. Leaving the team midway makes no sense. He should not have traveled with the team for just two matches,” he said. Given these high-stakes events, the PHF has reportedly initiated the search for a high-profile foreign coach to guide the national team through its critical international commitments.
“We need a strong and well-disciplined unit for the challenges ahead,” said a source within the team management. “The PHF believes a foreign coach could bring the professionalism, discipline, and tactical depth required to make Pakistan competitive again on the global stage. The decision on the foreign coach will be taken only after discussing the matter with Tahir,” the official said.
