Upset over Pakistan's worst ever performance in the hockey World Cup, the national Federation today sacked its selection committee and team management while the entire 18-man squad resigned, taking up moral responsibility for the shoddy show.
Pakistan today finished in the last position (12th) in the mega event after losing the play-off match to Canada.
Pakistan Hockey Federation president Qasim Zia the result was against all expectations.
"It is a shameful performance that we have ended up on the last spot in the World Cup, this was something I was not expecting at all from this team," Zia told PTI.
Zia, a former Olympian himself, said that a committee will be formed to inquire into the debacle.
"The immediate step I could take has been taken, but clearly Pakistan hockey today is at its lowest ebb and we need to take drastic measures to set things right," he said.
Meanwhile, all the 18 players in the national team have tendered their resignations in New Delhi owning up the moral responsibility for the shabby performance.
"Yes we have resigned. We have taken this decision voluntarily and we want now the youngsters to take over," senior forward Rehan Butt said.
The sacked chief selector Hasan Sardar announced his resignation just few minutes before the PHF cracked the whip on the selectors, coach Shahid Ali Khan and manager Asif Bajwa.
"I had tendered my resignation well before time because I also feel let down by this shameful performance of the team," Hasan, a former captain, said.
Hasan said they had picked the best possible squad for the World Cup based on their recent performances.
"This was the best team we could pick but unfortunately for inexplicable reasons the team just didn't perform to its potential," he said.
Zia said while he did not expect gold from Pakistan but at least wanted the team to make the semi-finals.
"Their performance is shocking, I have no words to describe what happened. But we are now looking ahead to the Asian Games," he said.
Zia said Bajwa has been removed as manager but would continue as PHF secretary until further decision.
"Bajwa is on elected post as secretary. The PHF board elected him and they will decide on his future but he is no longer manager of now," Zia said.
Pakistan's poor show in the World Cup has drawn sharp criticism in the country and with sports fans already reeling under the cricket controversies, the hockey debacle has only added to the gloom and disappointment.
Former Olympians, Qamar Ibrahim and Mansoor Ahmed and Olympian Islahuddin Siddique held Bajwa responsible for the team's debacle and demanded his removal from the PHF.
"He is a disaster as the World Cup results show. The PHF president must bring in stable and good people to run hockey," Siddique said.
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