The Junior World Cup, featuring 16 teams, will be played in New Delhi from December 6-15. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: It will not be a walk in the park for the Pakistan junior hockey team, with the contest for the Junior World Cup title to be held in India.
Acknowledging the tough challenge ahead for the youngsters, the team management has arranged lectures, besides the training drills, to bring mental toughness in players at the training camp that is underway in Lahore.
Pakistan and India are not enjoying the best of relations and the strained ties have affected sports in recent months.
Several Pakistan athletes had to go through bizarre experiences, for instance the send-off to hockey players prior to the Hockey India League, and then an ordeal with the Pakistan women’s team, who were confined to the stadium’s vicinity in Cuttack during the Cricket World Cup earlier this year.
“It will be a tough experience for the boys,” admitted Pakistan junior team’s head coach Manzoorul Hassan while speaking to The Express Tribune.
“Former Olympians and captains like Akhtar Rasool and Shahnaz Sheikh gave tips to the players by sharing their experience of high pressure games. The aim is to bring mental toughness in the players.”
The Junior World Cup, featuring 16 teams, will be played in New Delhi from December 6-15.
Final squad to be named on Nov 26
The former Olympian added that the probables’ training was also in full swing and the final squad for the tournament will be announced on November 26.
It may be mentioned that Umer Bhutta, who is also a regular member of the senior team, is tipped to be named captain of the team.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2013.
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