Olympics hockey preps see the blues

Absence of blue astro-turf in Pakistan to hamper team’s chances.

KARACHI: Plans to lay a blue astro-turf at the Hockey Club of Pakistan (HCP) in Karachi to prepare the national team for the London Olympics were in the doldrums after the ground’s administrator denied such plans.

Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan had announced in December that a blue astro-turf will be laid in Karachi in order to keep up with the Olympics scenario, with the provincial government confirming that it will provide the required financing.

However Iftikhar Syed, the administrator, said that the laying of the turf in Karachi was not happening any time soon.

“I not heard anything about the turf from the sports ministry after the governor’s announcement,” Syed told The Express Tribune. “As far as I know, nothing is being done on the matter.

“I think the Pakistan Hockey Federation will want to have the blue turf in Punjab first since the team might be practicing there and not in Karachi.”

Junaid laments delay in implementation

Meanwhile, team manager Khwaja Junaid lamented the apathy shown by the authorities in setting up the blue astro-turf and said that it could hurt Pakistan’s chances at the Olympics.

“It’s going to be a drastic change and the players will need plenty of time to get comfortable with the blue turf and the yellow ball that will be used,” said Junaid. “The Punjab government has promised us that it will lay the blue turf in Lahore by March. But if that doesn’t happen according to plan, our preparations will move to Europe after the Azlan Shah Cup in May.

“It’s disappointing that we still don’t have the perfect venue to practise for the Olympics,” said Junaid.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2012