Pakistan hockey Coach Michel Van Den Heuvel likely to quit
Michel Van Den Heuvel, the coach of Pakistan’s hockey team is likely to quit his post after his family expressed reservations over his security. Michel Heuvel played a tremendous role in Pakistan’s hockey team winning a gold medal after twenty-years in the
recently concluded Asian Games.
Michel Van Den Heuvel took over the Pakistan hockey team as a coach just five months back after a humiliating 12th place out of 12 squads in the World Cup held in New Delhi, India. Critics rendered severe criticism on Pakistan Hockey Federation
(PHF) over poor performance in the World Cup.
Pakistan Hockey Federation had sacked the then coach, Shahid Ali Khan amid severe criticism by former Olympians, fans and hockey lovers on their worst-ever performance.
Following that, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) hired the services of Dutchman Michel Van Den Huevel as a coach of the national hockey team, of which former Olympians also expressed severe reservations.
Michel Heuvel is the third foreign coach for Pakistan’s hockey team following Roelant Oltmans in 2000 and Hans Jorritsma in 1994.
Michel Heuvel led the Netherlands to third place in the New Delhi World Cup before quitting over conflicts with Netherlands Hockey Federation (NHF).
Michel Van Den Heuvel, who is enjoying congratulations over the win of the Greenshirts, stated that his family is worried about his security issues and he would take a decision regarding his future after consultation with family members.
With the credit of gold medal in the 16th Asian Games, Michel Heuvel acquired the status of ‘Master Coach’ in the coaching list of International Hockey Federation (FIH). He stated that everything depends on his family’s decision regarding continuation
of his job as a coach of Pakistan’s hockey squad.
Explaining special techniques and strategies of Pakistan’s hockey team in the recently concluded Asian Games, ‘Master Coach’ Michel Heuvel said that they prepared for the real game and players were asked for delivering positive results. He further said that
he improved the stamina of the players ahead of the Asian gala.
They started the preparations for Asian Games four months back and lastly the Greenshirts succeeded to revive the past glory of hockey in Pakistan by acquiring a gold medal at the Asian Games.
Commenting about the chances of Pakistan in the 2012 London Olympics, Michel Heuvel said that he was not in position to predict the future, as it is a long journey to the London Games.
Apart from his family’s reservations over security, the former Olympians are also not happy with his attitude saying that Michel is a self-important person, who hardly considered anyone else.
A former legendary player said that some people are unnecessarily making egotism issues with the Dutchman, as they were not given chances in the federation.
The former Olympian describing the approach of Michel Heuvel said that he is the man who is answerable to the federation and masses as a boss of the team, thus he has the right to take any decisions for the betterment of the team.
The former hockey star said, “If Michel gives up at this occasion, Pakistan hockey team will bumble once again as several former Olympians had already been tested as coaches of the team and they all failed to produce results”.
Ex-Olympian further said, “The way Michel made the changes in the field were very geometrical one could asses. The final line is that it has redeemed and it will be disappointing to see him quitting if he does”.
Even if Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) employs a new foreign coach, he would not be able to deliver instantly, as he would have to start from the beginning.
It is now up to Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to resolve matters with Dutchman Michel Heuvel regarding his security as the future of Pakistan hockey is linked to their coach’s fate.
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