PHF to establish two academies this year

KARACHI: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Shahbaz Ahmed has said that PHF would establish academies in Okara and Islamabad this year.

Talking to ‘The News’ on Tuesday, he said that PHF has focused on school boys and other under-16 players.

The PHF secretary said that for the selection of PHF Excellence Academies, open trails would be held across the country and selected players would be groomed at these academies where board and lodging would be available.

He said that education would also be provided to the players.

He said that these academies would be run under the supervision of modern coaches.

Meanwhile, the practice matches series between Pakistan Seniors and Pakistan Whites ended after the last match in Okara, which was won by Pakistan Seniors by 2-0.

Pakistan’s Seniors had to dig deep to overcome the fighting Whites  at Okara’s recently laid synthetic turf.

The goals came in the third quarter and Aleem Bilal was the scorer each time. Both the goals came via set pieces; penalty corner and penalty stroke.

Out of the nine matches, Pakistan Seniors won eight matches. One was drawn.

Pakistan coach Khwaja Junaid said that the hectic schedule of preparation for world cup qualifying round has been completed after these matches. “Now we will give one-week rest to the players. The players will gather after one week to go to Ireland to play three matches on June 1, 3 and 4, before appearing in the World Cup Qualifying rounds in London starting from June 15,” he said.

He said that the team might depart on May 27 or 28 for Ireland. He added that in last two matches Pakistan Seniors played very carefully because they did not want any injury at this stage. This was why they did not score many goals, he added.

“We don’t want to overburden the boys. They have had hectic training camps, nine practice matches and before that New Zealand and Australia tours.  Pakistan failed to qualify for World Cup 2014 and Rio Olympics 2016.