Pakistan's new hockey head coach Khawaja Junaid is facing a revolt of sorts from some senior players and officials even as the national team prepares for two tough matches against the Netherlands next month in its first step towards winning a berth in Tokyo Olympics.
Not only has top goalkeeper Imran Butt refused to come out of retirement to join the training camp in Lahore, making it clear he will not work with Junaid, but a successful video analyst Abuzar Omrao also refused to join the team because of the head coach.
Butt and Abuzar were part of Pakistan contingent which in December 2014 had reached the final of the Champions Trophy in India.
Well-informed sources in the national camp, underway in Lahore, said some senior players were also not happy with Junaid, a former Olympian who has been appointed coach in the past as well by the Pakistan Hockey Federation.
"To make matters worse chief selector Manzoor junior also conveyed his objections to the PHF when Junaid decided to call-up some senior players for the camp without consulting the national selectors," one source said.
Asked about this, Manzoor junior, a celebrated name in Pakistan hockey, shot back, saying, "You think I am such a weak person or small name that anyone can call players to camp without consulting me."
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