Cutting costs: PHF to call junior team back from Malaysia

Federation shifts training camp for Asia Cup to Pakistan

KARACHI: In a bid to cut costs, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has decided to shift the junior team’s training camp back to Pakistan instead of letting them stay on in Malaysia until the commencement of the Junior Men’s Asia Cup next month.

The PHF had earlier planned to organise a training camp for the players in Malaysia after their participation in the Sultan of Johor Junior Hockey Cup to get acclimatised to the weather conditions.

However, they decided to call the team back after the Pakistan International Airlines offered them a 90% discount on all traveling expenses if they opt to return to Pakistan and then go for the Asia Cup, which was more affordable for the PHF rather than financing the youngsters’ prolonged stay in Malaysia.



“The earlier proposed 26-day stay was costing the PHF more than another trip after training at home,” chief coach Tahir Zaman told The Express Tribune. “So the federation will hold a month-long camp in Pakistan instead and will send the team to Malaysia again four days prior to the competition.”

He added that training at home has its advantages as a good number of players are being invited to the camp including those from the senior team.

“The PHF has invited around 56 players to the camp, including 14 players from the senior side who will play some practice matches,” he said. “The juniors will benefit greatly by playing against the seniors.”

The Asia Cup will also serve as a qualifying round for the Junior World Cup to be held in India in November next year, with the top three teams earning their respective berths for the mega event.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2015.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.