‘I’m not coming to Pakistan’

Hockey coach refuses to rejoin, wants training in Netherlands.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s hockey coach Michel van den Heuvel has refused to return to the country after his winter break and has hinted that he will not be continuing with his job despite ongoing negotiations with the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

Heuvel, who was hired as Pakistan’s national coach in June after a dismal first half of the year for the country, signed a two-year contract, agreeing to coach the team until the 2012 Olympics. However, following the Asian Games triumph where Pakistan won gold, Heuvel is reconsidering his future and, instead, wants the team to train in the Netherlands.

“I don’t know if I want to continue with the PHF or not,” Heuvel told The Express Tribune. “We are supposed to renegotiate the contract and its duration.

“As things stand, I’m not coming to Pakistan, not until my concerns are addressed. However, I’m comfortable  coaching the team here in the Netherlands but that’s up to the PHF to decide as I’ve made by stance very clear.”

According to the Dutchman, while he is in touch with the federation, he has not set any targets for the team this year as he has spent the time with his family.

The deteriorating law-and-order situation in Pakistan remains his biggest worry, with another he wishes not to disclose.

“One of my goals with the PHF was to get as much international exposure for the team as possible. I was adamant on taking the team on different tours and had plans on getting different teams coming to Pakistan. However, the recent attack on the Punjab governor has completely ruined my vision.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2011.