PHF conducting nationwide trials in hunt of talent

PESHAWAR: Head of the Pakistan Hockey Federation selection committee Olympian Islahuddin Siddique Tuesday expressed satisfaction over the step being taken by the new management of the Pakistan Hockey Federation for conducting in land trials in different cities including Peshawar and termed it a very positive step in the right direction.

Talking to APP Islahuddin said that Pakistan Hockey Federation planned to hunt new faces in the field of hockey through a series of trial

“In this connection we are here at Lala Ayub Hockey Stadium and surprisingly more than 200 players have turned up for the trials which is a very encouraging sign.” Islah said.

The newly formed national selection committee headed by former Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqi with other selectors namely Ayaz Mahmood, Arshad Ali Chawdhry, Khalid Bashir and Mussadiq Hussain thoroughly monitored the trials.

Chairman Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hockey Association Muhammad Saeed Khan and Secretary Syed Zahir Shah were also present during the trials in which different sessions were conducted.

He disclosed that after short listing the players a lengthy camp under qualified coaches will be held so that good teams in different age groups could be formed for the future.

“Physical fitness is our priority. We are also observing the players interest and involvement in the matches.” Islahuddin said. He said the objective of these trials were to provide equal opportunities to the talented players who had been ignored previously for various reasons.

“The PHF has provided equal opportunity to the deserving players to prove their talent. We want to add a new chapter to the history of Pakistan hockey” Islah remarked.

The chief selector said that Pakistan’s national game was passing through a difficult phase and he and his team had accepted the challenge in the best interest of the game.

Shahnaz said that the PHF had started serious efforts to spot fresh talent and holding of the nation wide open trials showed the federation’s resolve to put the national game on the right track. “I hope we will be able to make a pool of strong players which will increase bench strength of the senior and the junior teams in two to three years” he said. (APP)