Hockey: Squad named before completion of trials

Hockey officials left red-faced while naming junior squad.

KARACHI: The credibility of Sports federations in Pakistan was hit in the face yesterday when the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) announced the squad for the Junior Asia Cup from Lahore while the probables were undergoing trials in front of the chief selector in Karachi.

With 25 probables taking part in the trials, a press release issued from the PHF head office in Lahore shocked all in presence.Chief selector Hanif Khan, though, tried to downplay the ‘mistake’.

“It’s the same squad we wanted to select,” said Khan. “It doesn’t makes any difference as we sent the names in advance.”

The chief selector, however, was unable to justify holding the trials if the squad was prepared in advance. The PHF associate secretary Rana Mujahid, who is also the team’s coach and manager, was surprised by the events.

Meanwhile, the experienced Umar Bhutta replaced goal-keeper Mazhar Abbas as captain for the tournament that will be played in Malaysia from May 3. Kashif Shah has been named Bhutta’s deputy. The upcoming event will also serve as a qualifying tournament for the Junior World Cup as teams reaching the final will confirm their berth for the global event.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2012.