Rasool backs revival of national selection committee

Hockey coach ready to relinquish primary role in team’s formation.

KARACHI: Pakistan hockey team’s chief coach Akhtar Rasool backed the idea of the national selection committee’s revival, saying he has no issues if the federation decides to return to the previous mode of selecting players.       

According to reports, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) was considering the revival of the selection committee after the Greenshirts’ dismal finish in the recently-concluded Azlan Shah Cup.

The federation seems unhappy with the management’s decision to make overwhelming changes – like dropping seniors Shakeel Abbasi and Mohammad Waseem – to pave the way for new faces in the tournament. The decision has been dubbed the main reason for the team’s disappointing show.

Rasool, a former Olympian who heads the team management, said he was not against the idea of the revival of the selection committee.

“I will have no issues,” the chief coach told The Express Tribune.

“It would be a welcome development for me as I feel an increase in the stakeholders in the selection matters will ultimately benefit the team.”



However, Rasool defended team selection by his management.

“Our selection was based on honesty and there was no favouritism. We will follow the same principle if the decision to bring back the selection committee is finalised.”

Coach wants preparatory process to continue 

While Rasool backed the revival of selection committee, he stressed that the team management should be allowed to prepare the team for next year’s World Cup according to its plan.

“We tested youngsters in the interest of the team. It was their first assignment and they failed because of inexperience. There was no better time to field them than the Azlan Shah Cup.

“They have no dearth of talent and we should continue giving chances to them. There’s no doubt about the team’s weakness in many areas, but excessive criticism is not fair as it is just the preparatory stage.

“We will try to remove the weakness in future training camps. Our next assignments are the World League and Asia Cup and hopefully the team will return to form in these tournaments.”

Meanwhile, Rasool added that he will submit the Azlan Shah Cup’s report to the federation shortly.

He expressed disappointment at the cancellation of the India series, terming it a big loss for both countries. Furthermore, he hinted at a plan for an extensive training camp as a replacement for the bilateral series that was scheduled next month.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2013.