
Heuvel had told The Express Tribune on Tuesday that it was a “misconception that I’m depending on the senior players in the team” and that he was placing his emphasis on the youngsters to make Pakistan a force to reckon with for the future.
Abbasi, however, opted to remind the coach of the seniors’ importance to the team given the experience and the ability to perform under pressure.
“Senior players are the ones who handle pressure in crunch situations and give confidence to the youngsters and without them the team will go back ten years,” Abbasi told The Express Tribune. “It’s wrong to count out the seniors altogether whatever circumstances you’re under.”
Captain dismisses criticism
Pakistan captain Zeeshan Ashraf has dismissed criticism on the importance of the team’s training tour to the Netherlands and termed it an important assignment ahead of the two upcoming tournaments: the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.
The team returned yesterday after the three-week long tour in which they played practice matches against Poland, Belgium and a few clubs besides featuring in a fund-raiser against Holland. The players also held practice sessions under the supervision of Heuvel in order to prepare for the tournaments.
“It was a productive tour and the positive results of which would hopefully be seen in the upcoming assignments,” said Ashraf.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation’s (PHF) decision to send team to Holland for training received sharp criticism from various Olympians who questioned effectiveness of the camp due to the climate difference between Europe and Asia with the events taking place in India and China.
“We are athletes and we travel all around the globe so it is not a big concern,” said the captain before adding that the players were always prepared to acclimatise to the given conditions. “It was not the first time that we will have to get accustomed to the change in weather.”
‘Players received much-needed practice’
Ashraf added that the tour provided the players with the much-needed practice under the supervision of quality coaches.
“We got good training from professional coaches who worked under Heuvel’s supervision. The facilities there were also top class which we lack in Pakistan. Overall it was a good learning experience.”
Players aiming for Asian Games
Pakistan team will take next month’s Commonwealth Games as preparatory assignment for the Asian Games.
“Our main target is the Asian Games because a triumph in it would give us a direct berth in 2012 Olympics. However, we would give our best in New Delhi to gain confidence before the important assignment,” said Ashraf.
Shakeel Abbasi
“Senior players are the ones who handle pressure in crunch situations and give confidence to the youngsters to keep going. It is wrong to count out the seniors altogether whatever circumstances you are under.”
Zeeshan Ashraf
“It was a productive tour and with positive results, the
effects of which would hopefully be seen in the upcoming assignments. We’re athletes and we travel all around the globe so the change in weather is not a big concern.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2010.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ