Pakistan hockey enters final training phase
Team to conclude preparations for Asian Games through league matches.
KARACHI:
Pakistan hockey on Thursday began the final phase of its preparations for the Asian Games through league matches at the Naseer Bunda Stadium in Islamabad.
The league matches will continue to run till Monday.
As part of the initial plan, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had intended to organise international tours for the team, but was unable to make the necessary arrangements.
“I have made alternate arrangements to enhance the team’s training by arranging single-league matches [against Pakistan Green, Army, Navy, and Islamabad-Rawalpindi] for them,” said chief coach Shahnaz Sheikh.
The national side, scheduled to depart for South Korea on September 10, will play its first match against Sri Lanka, followed by China, archrivals India and Oman on September 20, 21, 25 and 27 respectively.
“If the team leaves on the 10th, it will benefit by getting to play two warm-up matches against South Korea and one each against Japan and Bangladesh.”
Sheikh further stated that PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid agreed with his suggestions.
While commenting on the team’s current form, the coach said, “The whole team is fit and charged up for the challenge. They are ready to deliver the best results in the upcoming Asian Games.
“There are good teams in our pool along with 2010 Asian Games’ bronze medallists India. We will be playing our first match against Sri Lanka and are looking forward to a positive start to the tournament with a victory.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2014.
Pakistan hockey on Thursday began the final phase of its preparations for the Asian Games through league matches at the Naseer Bunda Stadium in Islamabad.
The league matches will continue to run till Monday.
As part of the initial plan, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had intended to organise international tours for the team, but was unable to make the necessary arrangements.
“I have made alternate arrangements to enhance the team’s training by arranging single-league matches [against Pakistan Green, Army, Navy, and Islamabad-Rawalpindi] for them,” said chief coach Shahnaz Sheikh.
The national side, scheduled to depart for South Korea on September 10, will play its first match against Sri Lanka, followed by China, archrivals India and Oman on September 20, 21, 25 and 27 respectively.
“If the team leaves on the 10th, it will benefit by getting to play two warm-up matches against South Korea and one each against Japan and Bangladesh.”
Sheikh further stated that PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid agreed with his suggestions.
While commenting on the team’s current form, the coach said, “The whole team is fit and charged up for the challenge. They are ready to deliver the best results in the upcoming Asian Games.
“There are good teams in our pool along with 2010 Asian Games’ bronze medallists India. We will be playing our first match against Sri Lanka and are looking forward to a positive start to the tournament with a victory.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2014.