In a shocking development, the head coach of the Pakistan Hockey Team, Siegfried Aikman, announced his resignation on Thursday. Aikman revealed that he had not received his salary for the past 12 months, leaving him with no other option but to step down from his position.
Expressing his disappointment, the Dutch coach stated that despite numerous promises made to him, none of them were fulfilled. Aikman had initially intended to complete his tenure with the team but the prolonged non-payment of his salary forced him to make the difficult decision to resign.
Citing his desire to progress in his career, Aikman expressed his regret at having to part ways with the Pakistan Hockey Team. His resignation highlights the challenges faced by coaches and staff in the sports industry when financial obligations are not met.
The General Secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Haider Hussain, expressed his disappointment with the situation. Hussain revealed that he had repeatedly informed the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) about the non-payment of the head coach’s salary, but no action was taken to resolve the issue.
The PHF recently made headlines by appointing former coach Roelant Oltmans as a consultant for the Pakistan Junior Team, specifically for the Junior Asia Cup. This move, amidst the resignation of Siegfried Aikman, reflects the federation’s efforts to continue strengthening the coaching staff despite the challenges they face.
The resignation of Siegfried Aikman underscores the critical importance of ensuring the timely payment of salaries and fulfilling commitments made to coaching staff and support personnel. The incident raises concerns about the financial stability and management within the Pakistan Hockey Federation, as well as the overall well-being and morale of the national hockey team.
As the Pakistan Hockey Team looks ahead, finding a suitable replacement for Aikman and addressing the issue of unpaid salaries should be prioritized to maintain stability and support the team’s progress. The federation must also take immediate steps to address the concerns raised by Aikman, ensuring a more conducive environment for coaches and staff to thrive and contribute to the development of Pakistan’s hockey.
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