Olympian Shakeel Abbasi asked to rejoin training camp

Rasool had previously expelled Shakeel Abbasi from the training camp after he had come to training while fasting.


Web Desk July 26, 2013
Rasool had previously expelled Shakeel Abbasi from the training camp after Abbasi had come to training while fasting. PHOTO: AFP

LAHORE: Pakistan hockey team coach Akhtar Rasool has asked Olympian Shakeel Abbasi, who had been asked to leave the camp for fasting during training, to rejoin the Asia Cup training camp.

Rasool had previously expelled Shakeel Abbasi from the training camp after he had come to training while fasting.

Abbasi said that whether players chose to fast during the training camp was a personal choice, Express News reported.

Rasool had stated that all team players had been asked not to fast during the training camp since fasting did not allow players to perform to their full capacity during training and had to face difficulty.

Rasool also faced criticism for his decision to remove Abbasi from the training camp over what was a religious issue.

Pakistan will participate in and must win the upcoming Asia Cup in Malaysia in order to qualify for the World Cup.

COMMENTS (4)

Mirza | 11 years ago | Reply A camp is life away from home and people are paid for that training. It is like a travelling salesman's job and fasting can be postponed during that time when not at home and have strenuous life. One can be religious and not fanatic but pragmatic and flexible. Doing something great for the country should take priority as this could be the last chance. Allah is merciful, more loving and understanding than parents.
Saeed Husain | 11 years ago | Reply

This is stupid. Players should put country over religion. This is Pakistan's only major chance to get to the World Cup. Such issues are disturbing team morale. Do we want a Hockey World Cup without one of its most successful team? I think not...

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