Shahnaz Sheikh resigns as Pakistan hockey coach

Islamabad: Pakistan hockey coach Shahnaz Sheikh stepped down on Thursday after the team failed to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.

The 43-year-old handed in his resignation during a Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) meeting at the Crown Plaza Hotel here. 

Pakistan crashed out of contention for a berth in Rio de Janeiro after finishing eighth in a qualifying tournament in Belgium last month.

This is the first time the three-time gold medalists have not qualified for the Olympics.

Shahnaz had successfully coached the Pakistan team in the past, guiding them to the World Cup title in 1994. However, the national team has seen a steady decline since then. 

Pakistan finished last in the World Cup held in India in 2010 and have also failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in the Netherlands.