Siegfried Aikman, the head coach of Pakistan’s national hockey team, has resigned from his position citing a lack of payment for 12 months. Aikman, who hails from the Netherlands, took on the role of head coach in February 2019 with a contract that was set to end after the 2022 Asian Games. However, the coach has now decided to step down due to the financial issues he has faced.
Aikman expressed his disappointment at the circumstances that have forced him to leave the post. He stated that he had hoped to use his experience to help the team improve, but the situation had become untenable due to the non-payment of his salary. Although he did express gratitude towards the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for giving him the opportunity to coach the team, he felt it was time to move on due to the ongoing issues.
Pakistan hockey has been struggling in recent years, with poor performances in major tournaments leading to a decline in the sport’s popularity in the country. Aikman’s appointment was seen as a step in the right direction and an opportunity to revive the fortunes of the national team. However, the financial challenges faced by the PHF have made it difficult to provide the necessary support and resources for the coach to succeed.
The resignation of Aikman is a blow for Pakistan hockey and its efforts to rebuild the sport’s image in the country. It remains to be seen who will replace the Dutch coach and whether they will be able to overcome the challenges that have plagued the sport in recent years.