Hockey: Chief selector Islahuddin resigns as Pakistan mourn Olympic exit

KARACHI: Chief selector of the Pakistan hockey team Islahuddin Siddiqui resigned from his post as chairman of the selection committee on Saturday after the national team failed to qualify for next year's Olympic Games.

Pakistan lost to outsiders Ireland 1-0 in a classification match at the World Hockey League in Antwerp, Belgium, a tournament which serves as a qualifying round for next year´s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The loss was a major setback for the national team since it is the first time it has failed to qualify for the mega event.

Pakistan, a three time Olympic gold medalist and four time world champion in the sport, needed to finish among the top five to harbour any hopes of a place in the Olympics, but will instead play Sunday for seventh or eighth place in the tournament.

Once a powerhouse in world hockey, Pakistan also failed to qualify for the World Cup last year for the first time in the history of the event.