Siegfried Aikman is new Pakistan hockey coach

Aikman has already left with the senior squad for Bangladesh for the Asian Champions Trophy as an observer and will take over the reins of the team after the tournament.

File Picture: Aikman was the coach of the Japanese hockey team during the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has roped in Dutch Siegfried Aikman as chief coach for its senior and junior teams until 2026.

Aikman has already left with the senior squad for Bangladesh for the Asian Champions Trophy as an observer and will take over the reins of the team after the tournament.

"Aikman will be an observer and official in the Asian event where Khawaja Junaid will be the head coach. But later, on return, he will take over coaching duties for the national senior team and also assist with the junior players and at the academy," PHF Secretary-General Asif Bajwa said.

Aikman, 62, an FIH qualified coach, was also in Bhubaneswar in India to watch the Pakistani junior players where they finished 11th in the recent FIH Junior World Cup.

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"While it is essential to start building a strong outfit of players for major events like the Olympics and World Cup, Pakistan hockey at this time also needs some victories to boost the sport," Aikman said in a statement.

Bajwa said that the federal government had taken responsibility for paying Aikman's contractual fees.

"We have brought in a foreign coach as in the past they have produced good results with our players, and we are now preparing for next year’s Asian Games," Bajwa said.

Aikman was the coach of the Japanese hockey team during the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Pakistan has in the past had foreign coaches. Under Hans Jorristsma, the Dutch coach, Pakistan won the World Cup and the Champions Trophy in 1994. Roelant Oltmans also guided the side.