The players are training for a number of international assignments, the most important of which is the Hockey World League in June that will also serve as qualifiers for the 2016 Olympics. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: Pakistan’s national hockey team will take part in a Four Nation Hockey Tournament in Australia in May after a month long training camp, which is underway at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad.
Currently, the players are training for a number of international assignments, the most important of which is the Hockey World League in June that will also serve as qualifiers for the 2016 Olympics.
“Trials will take place for the Four Nation Hockey Tournament, which will take place from May 2 to 11 and will feature five teams comprising Pakistan, South Korea, New Zealand and two teams from Australia,” head coach Shahnaz Shaikh told The Express Tribune.
He added that the team will also visit South Korea for a bilateral series after the Australia event, which will help them prepare for the Olympic qualification round staring from June 20.
Commenting on the fitness of the players, Shahnaz said that three players suffered injuries during the second day of training camp. “Arsalan Qadir, Rizwan Jr and Umair Rana twisted their ankle during the drill and have been asked to rest for five days to recover injury,” he said.
“Qadir and Rizwan are our key players for whom we have no replacement, so we will start proper training after they recover.”
The coach added that the team has hardly any time left for the Four Nation Tournament, so an efficient and effective plan needs to be made.
Meanwhile, the team was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif on March 20, which has been delayed for the fourth time.
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