Akbar pledges to help team after Dutch league
Hockey goal-keeper included in training camp for European tour.
LAHORE:
Pakistan’s veteran goal-keeper Salman Akbar pledged that he will use the experience he gained from playing in the Dutch hockey league to serve his country in a better and more convincing way.
Akbar, who was engaged in a two-year contract with the Laren Club, has now returned in order to participate in the training camp for the European tour ahead of the 2012 London Olympics. Pakistan will feature in the UCD Four-Nation Tournament in Dublin from June 20, Four-Nation Rabo Tournament in Amsterdam from June 28 and the Test series.
“With my experience from the Dutch league, I aim to help my country and serve it in a better and more convincing way,” Akbar told reporters at the National Hockey Stadium. Akbar, whose main target is next year’s Olympics, claimed the European Tour will be a great learning experience for the men in green.
“Although the upcoming schedule is tough, it will be useful. The European tour will be a mix of wins and losses for Pakistan but this is part of the preparation for the London Olympics. Victory will give us the boost while defeat will help us learn from our mistakes.”
Meanwhile, although Pakistan hockey’s chief selector Hanif Khan welcomed Akbar’s inclusion in the camp, he warned the goal-keeper of the tough criteria of selection.
“Akbar is one of our veteran players but every player has to prove his fitness in order to be selected,” added Khan.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 29th, 2011.
Pakistan’s veteran goal-keeper Salman Akbar pledged that he will use the experience he gained from playing in the Dutch hockey league to serve his country in a better and more convincing way.
Akbar, who was engaged in a two-year contract with the Laren Club, has now returned in order to participate in the training camp for the European tour ahead of the 2012 London Olympics. Pakistan will feature in the UCD Four-Nation Tournament in Dublin from June 20, Four-Nation Rabo Tournament in Amsterdam from June 28 and the Test series.
“With my experience from the Dutch league, I aim to help my country and serve it in a better and more convincing way,” Akbar told reporters at the National Hockey Stadium. Akbar, whose main target is next year’s Olympics, claimed the European Tour will be a great learning experience for the men in green.
“Although the upcoming schedule is tough, it will be useful. The European tour will be a mix of wins and losses for Pakistan but this is part of the preparation for the London Olympics. Victory will give us the boost while defeat will help us learn from our mistakes.”
Meanwhile, although Pakistan hockey’s chief selector Hanif Khan welcomed Akbar’s inclusion in the camp, he warned the goal-keeper of the tough criteria of selection.
“Akbar is one of our veteran players but every player has to prove his fitness in order to be selected,” added Khan.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 29th, 2011.