Much-Needed Tahir Zaman Coach Boost for Pakistan Hockey!

It was probably just what the doctor ordered for Pakistan hockey that have been plagued by paucity of funds and far-from-satisfactory administration – it won’t be a sweeping statement to say that the sport is in doldrums. The move by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to appoint former captain Tahir Zaman as the coach of the Greenshirts just days before the start of the 8th Asian Champions Trophy at China, must have warmed the cockles of hockey supporters, who have had very little to cheer about the national side. Pakistan’s consistent absence from blockbuster tournaments such as the Olympics and the World Cup haven’t been a great advertisement for world hockey in general.

Read How Funds-Hit Pakistan Hockey Can Be Better Off Hiring Homegrown Coaches

A wily former forward, Tahir Zaman has been a wonderful servant of Pakistan hockey – his monumental contribution in Pakistan’s 1994 World Cup triumph at Sydney still remains etched in the minds of Pakistan hockey minds – the way in which Tahir converted a crucial stroke in the tie-breaker in the final against the Netherlands that led them to embrace glory. The former stalwart is a respected figure in world hockey circles and is a senior FIH coach – the man, who made 252 international appearances for Pakistan and scored 134 goals, has always been talked about the best man available in the country to resurrect the fortunes of the Greenshirts.

Although Tahir would have task his cut out taking over a national side that is straightway hitting an international tournament, one thing is for sure – Pakistan can be expected to mount a honest comeback on the world hockey stage provided the PHF provides Tahir with a free hand and pays his salary on time and not take the Siegfried Aikman route when the Dutchman was not paid for many months leading to the latter stepping down as national team coach.

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Tahir is taking over from Dutchman Roelant Oltmans, who had served as Pakistan coach at the 2024 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and 2024 FIH Nations Cup. Oltmans wasn’t comfortable with an event-to-event contract and was looking for a long-term contract which the PHF did not oblige.

Former Japan and Pakistan coach Siegfried Aikman believes this is the best thing to have happened to Pakistan hockey. “Lack of funds has been a long-standing issue in Pakistan hockey and I hope that Tahir Zaman does not encounter any salary payment issues like I went through. Tahir is a senior FIH coach and understands modern hockey better than anybody else in Pakistan. I have no doubts that he is the best person to coach the Pakistan team.”

Aikman, who stepped down as Greenshirts coach last year after being unpaid for 12 months (interestingly he has been paid for only two months even after he has quit the job), and is currently the Oman’s men’s hockey team coach, feels that Tahir’s impressive credentials as a player would hold him in good stead. “He has served Pakistan hockey very well for so many years. He has built a good reputation during his coaching stints with Egypt and Oman and is extremely passionate about Pakistan doing well in world hockey. Pakistan hockey can go places with him as coach.”