Not ready to quit yet, say Butt and Abbasi

Former hockey captains eager to extend career.

KARACHI: Despite a less than satisfactory show in the London Olympics, former captains Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi are determined to extend their international career and have refused to hang up the boots yet.

In the aftermath of the Olympics debacle, where Pakistan finished seventh in the hockey event, Mohammad Waseem was the only player who announced his retirement with the coaches, instead, expressing their interest in continuing with the team. There were calls from various quarters asking for the seniors to walk away but Abbasi and Butt are adamant to continue.

“I am still available,” Butt told The Express Tribune when asked about his future plans. “Right now, I am just taking a breather and recovering from the Olympics. We’ll have to wait and see what the federation decides with regards to the upcoming tournament.”

Meanwhile, Abbasi also expressed his desire to carry on despite being off-colour in London.

“I’m available for national duty,” said Abbasi prior to his departure for Kuala Lumpur for league hockey. “I’m ready for it if the federation gives me another chance. It will help me maintain my fitness which is why I’ve decided to feature in them.”

Eight players off for foreign leagues

Meanwhile,eight national players will be seen in action in foreign leagues taking place in Malaysia and the Netherlands.

Abbasi and five others including Abdul Haseem Khan, Imran Khan, Kashif Ali, Waqas Sharif and Asim Khan are participating in the Malaysian League while Rashid Mehmood and Mohammad Rizwan will be seen in the Dutch League.

The Greenshirts’ next international assignment will be the Asian Champions Trophy which is expected to be held in October or November.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2012.