Road to Olympics: Abbas advised to take more rest

Penalty-corner specialist to miss ongoing phase of training camp.


Our Correspondent March 09, 2012

KARACHI:


Nothing seems to be going right for Pakistan hockey as penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas, dubbed as a key player for the country at the upcoming London Olympics, is still struggling to recover from an injury.


Abbas, who has been out of action for almost three months after breaking his jaw in the Champions Trophy last December, has been asked by his doctor to skip the training camp featuring the Olympic probables.

The world record-holder missed the home series against China and the National Hockey Championship and has now been advised a further three-week rest.

“Abbas is not fit to undergo extensive training,” team manager Khwaja Junaid told The Express Tribune. “He’s yet to recover fully and is just allowed light work-out.”

The manager, who is supervising the training camp in Heuvel’s absence, confirmed that the seasoned campaigner will miss the first phase of the training camp that concludes in a week.

“We’re hoping he attends the second phase after March 25,” added Junaid while raising optimism that the ace player will be completely fit before the Azlan Shah Cup in May.

“There’s time left for the Azlan Shah Cup and we are positive about his availability.”

Abbas is a leading contender for the captain’s arm-band for the Olympics in case the Pakistan Hockey Federation decides to sanction Shakeel Abbasi and Rehan Butt for their participation in the unauthorised World Series Hockey in India. A decision on the duo is expected in the federations’ executive committee meeting on March 15.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2012.

COMMENTS (2)

Munna | 12 years ago | Reply If cricketers can go and play diff leagues than why not hockey players, stop this PHF.
Malik Babar | 12 years ago | Reply

it is unfortunate and heartrending. Sohail Abbas is an inestimable asset fot Pak Hockey and has Millions of fans. all are requested to pray for his soon recovery and permanent fitness for the world wouldn't like to miss his draggers and flickers making the net fly everytime he drags it

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