Heuvel’s contract revised

Dutch to stay with PHF till 2012 Olympics.

LAHORE: Pakistan hockey coach Michel van den Heuvel finally reached the country to resume his duties with the team and has finalised a contract till the 2012 London Olympics. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) took a detailed review of the Dutch’s commitment who returns as head coach with added remuneration as well as the authority of team selection till the 2012 Olympics.

Earlier, Heuvel had expressed his concern regarding the uncertain security situation in Pakistan leaving the PHF in doubt about whether he would resume the coaching role.

However, Heuvel, currently in Lahore, discussed his reservations with the PHF General Secretary Asif Bajwa in a meeting and cleared his issues. Bajwa also made him in charge of a coaching clinic under the PHF Development programme. The programme aims at grooming coaches on modern scientific lines at the Faisalabad Hockey Stadium from February 5 to 10.

“We had a five-month contract with him before,” Bajwa told The Express Tribune. “But after that he was given an opportunity to review the contract and this time the PHF have roped him in him till the 2012 London Olympics.

“Apart from coaching the national team, Heuvel is supposed to work with us in setting up the reforms in our domestic structure,” said Bajwa, who further confirmed that Heuvel will meet PHF President Qasim Zia today and will be going back to Holland on February 14.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2011.