PHF President says senior players still have a chance

LAHORE: Pakistan Hockey Federation PHF President Qasim Zia says there are still open
chances for senior players to come back to national squad after proving their fitness prior to 2012 London Olympics.

“National team has to play around 50-odd international matches in run-up to Olympics. Best team would be selected two months prior travelling to London,” he added.

On inclusion of senior players in squad, Qasim Zia said it is part of PHF policy to provide ample opportunity to each and every player to feature in national team if players maintained required level of fitness to compete at international level. A number of young players were selected in squad for Asian Champions Trophy to provide them international exposure and experience as they are future of Pakistan hockey and replacements of senior players. “It’s best time for juniors to show their talent to be strong contenders for selection in future.”

He said old astro-turf at National Hockey Stadium Lahore will be replaced by a new, blue coloured, astro-turf hopefully by end of this year. Punjab Government already released required funds and now it is Punjab Sports Board’s turn to complete the process by inviting tenders for the project.

Pakistan squad for inaugural edition of Asian Championship to be held in Ordos, China this week:
Muhammad Imran (captain), Shakeel Abbasi (v-capt), Waseem Ahmad, Fareed Ahmed, Rashid Mehmood, Imran Shah, Muhammad Kashif Javed, Imran Butt, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Rizwan Junior, Muhammad Tousiq, Muhammad Rizwan Senior, Syed Kashif Shah, Muhammad Waqas Sharif, Shafqat Rasool, Abdul Haseem Khan, Muhammad Umar Bhutta & Ali Shan.