Bajwa's return to PHF raises several questions.

Byline: Anwar Zuberi

STILL awaiting the nod from the General Council, former Olympian Asif Bajwa, who has succeeded Shahbaz Ahmed Sr as Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary at the behest of PHF chief retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, has started deliberations with former stalwarts of the game to get their opinions for rescuing the game.

In the first step, he met strong critic and 1984 Los Angeles Olympic gold medal winning team captain Manzoor Hussain Jr and another ex- Olympian Khawaja Junaid in Lahore the other day. In the next stage he has arrived in Karachi on Thursday evening to carry forward his mission. Bajwa called on former Olympian Hanif Khan at his residence on Friday to seek his support at the national and local level. Secretary KHA Syed Haider Hussain was also present in the meeting. It a move that seems aimed at gaining favour.

The hockey fraternity, which has been raising its voice on Pakistan team's slump, alleged corruption of funds by the PHF hierarchy and their ouster have not digested the modus operandi adopted in appointment of Bajwa in the same capacity for the second time and giving a safe passage to his predecessor.

Critics have been pointing fingers at Bajwa for his alleged involvement in human smuggling during his first tenure (2008-2013) besides...