Hockey team manager fears complacency

Training camp set up in Islamabad to avoid distractions.

LAHORE:

Pakistan hockey team manager Khawaja Junaid feared complacency among the players and insisted that the training camp for the preparation of the Azlan Shah Cup would be tough to maintain at full vigour.

Lack of match practice among the players was a source of major concern for Junaid.

“I am afraid of complacency creeping in,” the team manger told The Express Tribune

“It’s been three months since the players have been sitting idle after their victory at the Asian Games.

“I hope each and every player will join the camp with full fitness and an active state of mind. Thankfully we have a database maintained that will tell us a player’s previous level of fitness and skill that will be judged in the first phase of the camp.”

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) selection committee shortlisted 31 probables on Friday for the training camp for their next assignment starting from May 5 to 15.

“The purpose of arranging the camp in Islamabad is to minimise social distractions for players,” added Junaid. “We have the best facilities in the capital city with a healthy atmosphere which is very important for the players to build up their motivation before the event.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2011.