PHF plans series between seniors, juniors

KARACHI: The PHF has planned a couple of practice matches between Pakistan seniors and juniors in Karachi before the former’s departure for participation in a three-nation tournament in Oman next month, ‘The News’ learnt on Monday.

Pakistan juniors’ Argentina visit has been cancelled because of financial constraints and the team currently has no assignment.

The year 2018 is very important for Pakistan seniors. There are three quadrennial title tournaments this year: Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the World Cup.The junior side’s tour to Argentina would have been a very costly exercise, especially the air travel.

Thus, PHF decided to organise matches between the senior and junior outfits so that both remain in practice. The juniors training camp is continuing in Karachi. PHF sources said that through these matches the senior team would get match practice and the juniors would learn a thing or two by playing against the seniors.

The tournament in Oman involves Japan and Oman. The trials for Pakistan team for participation in the three-nation tournament will be held on Wednesday (tomorrow) and Thursday at Edhi Stadium in Karachi.

The chief coach Hasan Sardar said that 22-24 players would be selected for the tour. “We want that some of those players who demonstrate good display of hockey, form and fitness also get a chance so that we can test them keeping in mind the future requirements because this year we will have to develop a group of 22-25 players for big events,” he added.

Chief selector Islahuddin said they would organise two-day trials, in which they would test all the participants of the training camp. He said that camp commandant’s recommendations would be given importance. Islahuddin said that he and Ayaz Mehmood regularly visited the training camp to judge the players’ form and fitness. He said the team would be selected keeping in mind the assignments coming up, including Commonwealth Games, Champions Trophy, Asian Games and the World Cup.