Ashraf opts out of training camp
Pakistan hockey captain wants just the big events.
LAHORE/KARACHI:
Pakistan hockey captain Zeeshan Ashraf will not participate in the national team’s training camp for the 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup that gets underway today.
The camp will be held at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad while the tournament will be played in Malaysia from May 5.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Ashraf said that he wants to represent Pakistan in just the big events including the 2012 London Olympics and wants to give his place to youngsters for the Azlan Shah Cup.
“I have informed the federation about my withdrawal from the event,” said Ashraf, who captained Pakistan to Asian Games glory last year. “The purpose is to give opportunities to the rising young talent which is what the team needs.”
He advised the Pakistan Hockey Federation to name his deputy Mohammad Imran his replacement as captain for the Azlan Shah Cup.
Meanwhile, the manager of the team Khawaja Junaid said that the coaches, players and technical staff have arrived at the camp which will focus on fitness of the players following which the team will be selected on the performance in the camp.
He believed that the squad will be a combination of senior and junior players as they have called four players who participated in the Youth Olympics.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 1st, 2011.
Pakistan hockey captain Zeeshan Ashraf will not participate in the national team’s training camp for the 20th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup that gets underway today.
The camp will be held at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad while the tournament will be played in Malaysia from May 5.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Ashraf said that he wants to represent Pakistan in just the big events including the 2012 London Olympics and wants to give his place to youngsters for the Azlan Shah Cup.
“I have informed the federation about my withdrawal from the event,” said Ashraf, who captained Pakistan to Asian Games glory last year. “The purpose is to give opportunities to the rising young talent which is what the team needs.”
He advised the Pakistan Hockey Federation to name his deputy Mohammad Imran his replacement as captain for the Azlan Shah Cup.
Meanwhile, the manager of the team Khawaja Junaid said that the coaches, players and technical staff have arrived at the camp which will focus on fitness of the players following which the team will be selected on the performance in the camp.
He believed that the squad will be a combination of senior and junior players as they have called four players who participated in the Youth Olympics.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 1st, 2011.