‘Young players on the rise’

LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Director Academy Rana Mujahid believes that with little guidance, the youngsters participating in the on-going academy tournament can replace the senior players in the national side.

“The PHF took a productive initiative by launching the national academy tournament which has provided us with potential for the future,” Mujahid told The Express Tribune. “The ongoing event has given them the required exposure which will help them groom and most of the players are quite talented anyway but haven’t been given such an opportunity.

“I’ve realised that these players, in this age-group, can prove essential as the future prospect for Pakistan hockey and I deem this the right time to start grooming and giving exposure to these youngsters in a bid to fill the vacant gap at the top level.”

Mujahid, however, ruled out any intention to sideline several senior players as last month, the experienced trio of Sohail Abbas, Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi were omitted from the Pakistan squad for the Azlan Shah Cup following a poor World Cup and failing to impress the selectors in the training camp held after the National Hockey Championship. He backed the notion of including youngsters in the team and called the experienced players to improve their fitness and performance in order to remain in contention for a place in the national squad.

“The selection committee will consider the senior players only if they prove their form and fitness. It’s wrong to state that we have started a campaign against them.”

Pakistan is scheduled to take part in a four-nation hockey tournament in China next month before embarking on a European tour before the Commonwealth and the Asian Games later this year.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2010.