PHF to organise series involving senior, junior teams

KARACHI: PHF has planned a series among the national senior, under-21 and under-18 teams to engage them in fast-paced hockey ahead of their tough competitions abroad, ‘The News’ has learnt.

PHF sources said that the schedule of these matches was yet to be decided.

The senior team is to play Asian Champions Trophy 2016.

The junior team is to play Junior World Cup in December.

The under-18 team will play Youth Asia Cup in Bangladesh in September.

Pakistan’s players have played little international hockey for many years, so the best way to keep them in shape is organising such a series, PHF sources said.  This will help them get match practice and their form and fitness could be maintained before participation in international events.

The most difficult assignment is Junior World Cup, which will decide the fate of Pakistan’s hockey because the performance of the junior team will show if Pakistan can compete at international-level competitions.

The members of the junior team will progress to the senior team as they will not be under 21 after the World Cup.

It was a common practice in the past when Pakistan dominated the hockey world that national senior team, before going to participate in Olympics or World Cup, played against strong teams comprising the best of those players who were out of the team.

These matches were organised in major cities of the country and gave good practice to the senior players.