Irfan expelled over discipline breach

Veteran to be axed for this year’s tournaments, says hockey coach.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has expelled seasoned defender Mohammad Irfan from the ongoing training camp in Lahore for violating a disciplinary policy.

National hockey team manager and head coach Akhtar Rasool said the fullback, who also participated in the London Olympics this year, was expelled for violating camp curfew.

“Irfan will not be a part of the team this year,” Akhtar told The Express Tribune. “The team management has banned him from nine-a-side Hockey, Champions Trophy and the Asian Champions Trophy.”

According to the head coach, Irfan took permission for attending a wedding but returned well outside the curfew time.

“He was supposed to come back by 10pm but he returned after midnight. As Irfan had already received warnings twice before this incident, the management decided to take stern action.”

Akhtar said discipline is the top priority for the team management.

“Any compromise on discipline will not be tolerated. Irfan’s dismissal will be an example for other players.”

He said replacement for the experienced defender will be announced soon.

Team announcement likely on November 12

Meanwhile, Akhtar said the team for back-to-back events in Australia was likely to be named on November 12.

In the first event, the greenshirts will play in the nine-a-side International Super Series in Perth that starts on November 22 and later will participate in the Champions Trophy that will begin from December 1.

The chief coach said unlike the past, no special trials will be held for team selection under the new format, which has no selection committee.

“We’re assessing the players’  performance on a daily basis in the training camp. There’s no need to organise special trials for team selection.”

He further said that the training camp was in full flow where players were undergoing extensive training.

“We are working to overcome the mistakes observed in previous tournaments. Our ultimate goal is performing well in the 2014 World Cup, but first we want to prove ourselves in the Champions Trophy.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th, 2012.