Hockey: Olympians called to devise team strategy

Hockey officials to hold meetings keeping London event in mind.

LAHORE: In a bid to prepare the best possible squad for next year’s London Olympics, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has called on the nation’s former greats to assemble and devise a winning strategy.

Olympians Islahuddin Siddiqui, Samiullah Khan, Shahnaz Sheikh, Shahid Ali Khan and Khawaja Junaid are among a number of experts who have been invited to the strategic planning meeting at the PHF headquarters at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore.

The main objective is to ask for input from the legendary players as the Greenshirts prepare for the 2012 London Olympics, which will be Pakistan’s next international assignment after the high-profile Champions Trophy in December.

PHF President Qasim Zia said the meeting would be fruitful as the team needed to fine-tune its skills after the win in the tri-nation tournament in Australia.

“We’ll discuss our preparations and plans for the Olympics in the meeting,” said Zia. “I value all the former players’ opinions as they’ve gone through this phase as well. This kind of thing is not new to the PHF. I did the same when I took charge three years ago.

“Olympians might have a lot to contribute to the team’s planning.”

In response to a question on the team’s chances in the upcoming Champions Trophy, to be held in Auckland, Zia remained optimistic after Pakistan’s recent performance.

“The team is performing well. I asked for some time when I took over and now after three years, the results are positive. I’m hopeful that the team will be among the top four in the Champions Trophy.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2011.