Siegfried Aikman, a Dutch hockey coach who had been coaching Pakistan for the last 12 months, has resigned from his position.
Aikman, who had joined the national team the previous year, announced his resignation as head coach on social media.
Despite the fact that Aikman had returned from Pakistan late last year due to a pay dispute, he continued in his position while waiting for his arrears to be paid. But with no end in sight, he has made the decision to step down.
Another Dutch coach, Roelant Oltmans, arrived in Pakistan about the same time that Aikman submitted his resignation to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). Roelant Oltmans will go to Muscat with the national junior team for the Asia Junior Cup on Sunday night.
PHF acknowledged Oltmans’ arrival in Lahore and his appointment as head coach of the junior squad for the continental competition.
Who will pay Oltman’s wages or if Aikman’s debts will be paid has not been disclosed by PHF.
After the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) confirmed that it will cover Aikman’s wages, PHF appointed the Dutch coach. The PSB has ceased supporting the PHF as a result of a deadlock between the two organizations on electoral and constitutional problems.
“Even the (funding of the) team we have sent to Oman has been done by raising money through private donors and sponsors,” a PHF official stated.