Pakistan junior hockey camp for Nations Cup begins

By Asher Butt

April 16, 2025

A representational image showing hockey players engaged in on-field practice. — AFP/File

LAHORE: A training camp for the Pakistan Junior Hockey Team is set to commence on April 16 at POF Wah Cantt as part of their preparations for the upcoming FIH Men’s Nations Cup. The prestigious international tournament will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from June 15 to June 21, 2025.

This camp aims to provide rigorous training and tactical preparation for the junior team, equipping them with the skills and strategies required to compete against strong international opponents.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation has emphasized its commitment to nurturing young talent and elevating the country’s standing in global hockey through initiatives like this intensive training program. The PHF is optimistic that the junior team will deliver strong performances in Malaysia and make a mark on the international stage.

The coaching staff for the training camp includes:

Head Coach: Olympian Tahir Zaman (National Bank)

Coach: Olympian Muhammad Usman (PIA)

Assistant Coach: Olympian Zeeshan Ashraf (National Bank)

Trainee Coach: M. Mukhtar (Bahawalpur)

Physical Trainer: Najib Khattak (Peshawar)

Video Analyst: Nadeem Khan Lodhi (Sialkot)

Physiotherapist: Nadeem Khan (WAPDA)

The players selected for the camp are:

Goalkeepers: Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan (Mari Energy), Waqar (WAPDA), Umair Ali (WAPDA), Owais Rashid (Custom)

Deep Defenders: Muhammad Sufyan Khan (Mari Energy), Muhammad Abdullah (Mari Energy), Hammaduddin Anjum (WAPDA), Abdul Manan (Air Force), Arshad Liaquat (Mari Energy), Imad Shakeel Butt (National Bank), Usama Bashir (Air Force), Rizwan Ali (Air Force), Muhammad Sameen (WAPDA), Faizan (National Bank), Tanzeem ul Hassan (WAPDA), Faisal Qadir (National Bank), Izhar (Punjab)

Midfielders: Moin Shakeel (WAPDA), Zakaria Hayat (Navy), Ghazanfar Ali (Custom), Mohib Ullah (WAPDA), Umar Mustafa (Mari Energy), Rana Sohail Riaz (Custom), Arslan (Army), Mubashir Amin (POF), Haseem (Punjab), Farhan Tariq (Rangers)

Strikers: Abdul Rehman (Air Force), Salman Razzaq (WAPDA), Afraz (Mari Energy), Ejaz Ahmed (WAPDA), Owais Arshad (WAPDA), Rana Waleed (Navy), Mohsin Khan (Air Force), Nowhaiz Zahid Malik (National Bank), Abdul Hannan Shahid (WAPDA), Muhammad Younis (Quetta)