(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Oman has pulled out of the second edition of the Asian Champions Trophy to be played in Doha, Qatar, from December 20-27.The decision was taken by the Oman Hockey Association (OHA) on Tuesday after the newly-elected board met for the first time under its chairman, Mahfoodh al Juma.Oman, ranked seventh in Asia, was invited to the event after South Korea had withdrawn earlier.Speaking to Muscat Daily, Saad Mohy Zaghlool, the OHA's technical director, said, The OHA board discussed Oman's recent performance in the FIH World League Round 1 in Doha. The team's disappointing performance (it finished third among five teams) predominantly led to the majority view that the team is not yet ready to compete at such a high-level tournament.The Asian Champions Trophy features the continent's powerhouses India, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia and China.Meanwhile, it has been reliably learned that Oman's late decision to withdraw from the event will bring in harsh consequences from the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), including a possible suspension.Zaghlool said that the board also discussed a new programme for the national team including the hiring of an international coach.The OHA parted ways with its last foreign coach, K K Poonacha of India, in September 2011. Since then, Omani coach Sabil al Balushi has been at the helm.We are keen to recruit a new coach soon. We haven't shortlisted any names yet, but our options are open. We are looking for a good coach from the Netherlands, Spain, Germany or India, said Zaghlool.
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