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First phase of senior hockey camp concludes

National captain Imran looks for reversal in fortunes at Asian Games.

Nabil Tahir June 13, 2014

quot we re aware of its asian games importance because only a gold medal can take us to the olympics quot mohammad imran photo file

"We’re aware of its [Asian Games] importance because only a gold medal can take us to the Olympics," Mohammad Imran. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: Thirty-seven probables for the senior national hockey team concluded their five-week training camp in Islamabad on Friday. The camp was set up to prepare players for the upcoming Asian Games to be held in Incheon, South Korea in September.

Head coach Shahnaz Sheikh said he was pleased after targets set for the first phase of the camp were achieved.

“It was a productive first phase of the camp,” Sheikh told The Express Tribune. “We worked on various aspects that included fitness and skill-enhancing drills. Besides this, the players were also given match practice.”

Regarding the upcoming event, Sheikh appeared confident of his players’ form.

“All the players have improved their fitness and are in rhythm. The high altitude has also helped them to gain further strength.

“The presence of a high profile coaching team, which includes Nasir Ali, Muhammad Shafqat, Syed Sameer Hussain and Syed Abuzar Umrao has proven beneficial, and after the end of the first phase of the camp, I feel optimistic.”

Pakistan will face their four toughest rivals, hosts South Korea, Malaysia, Germany, and India in the Asian Games, which will also serve as qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games 2016 in Rio, Brazil.

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Mohammad Imran believes his side desperately needs to go for the gold in Korea.

“The Asian Games is the most important assignment for us this year, and we’ve been training and practicing for months now just to keep our focus on it,” said Imran.

“We’re aware of its importance because only a gold medal can take us to the Olympics.”

Earlier, Pakistan finished at third position in the last years Men’s Hockey Asia Cup and came thirteenth in the Men’s FIH Hockey World League, which led to their absence in this year’s World Cup.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2014.

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