PHF gears up for Asian Champions Trophy

Defending champions Pakistan keen to retain title in October event.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has commenced preparations for the senior team’s title defence at the 4th Men’s Asian Champions Trophy to be held in Kuantan, Malaysia from October 20 to 30.

Pakistan are the most successful team in the competition at the moment with two gold and one silver medals, while India have occupied the top of the podium once.

Hosts Malaysia took bronze in 2011, 2012 and 2013, while Korea are making their Asian Champions Trophy debut.

The tournament was last held in 2013 at Kakamigahara in Japan, where Pakistan defeated hosts Japan 3-1, and the PHF management and coaches are eager to retain the title this year.

“We’re trying to build a team that can defend the title,” head coach Khawaja Junaid told The Express Tribune. “We have planned an intensive training programme for the seniors after Ramazan, which will be finalised after discussing it with the management.”

He added that a boot camp at Pakistan Military Academy Kakul is also part of the plan. “A similar boot camp has helped the cricket team, so we have also planned to get the army’s help in building the players’ stamina,” said Junaid.

The coach further said that the selectors are also considering some names from the recently-concluded U18 national championship for the Asian Champions Trophy. “Some players performed well in the U18 tournament, and we believe they are a potential asset for the senior team.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2016.

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