Hiring foreign coach beyond PHF resources, says Bajwa

LAHORE: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Asif Bajwa has said they are doing everything possible within their resources to consolidate the base of national sport.

He further stated that hiring a foreign coach is beyond PHF’s resources and “when our own coaches are not lacking in any kind of coaching skills, then I believe there is no need to opt for a foreign coach,” he added.

“Best available coaches have been attached with the national junior team. Foreign coaches can also be hired if need arose and resources allowed,” said Bajwa, adding, in the current era, coaching has become a full-time job now.

The coaches associated with the junior team are currently also coaching with various department teams, he added.

Coaches deployed with the junior team have a good experience at the national level which is why they have been placed with the national junior team. Danish Kaleem, Rana Zaheer, M. Imran and Mudassar are coaches of their respective departmental teams and they are also giving good results, which is why they have been entrusted with the responsibility of the national team.

Talking to media on the sidelines of the junior camp, Bajwa said that the best available talent selected from the last junior championship has been called for training. “There are 60 players called for the camp, which is clear sign that the base has developed and there is no dearth of talent.

“Some of the probable in the camp have in them the ability to represent the country at the senior level,” said Bajwa. He said that these camp trainees are being prepared for the Junior Asia Cup and even players who were ignored in the past are also being given an opportunity to prove their selves.

On the training, Bajwa said that focus is on the physical fitness, stamina and endurance of the players that was why specialists has been associated with the team management. Asif Bajwa said that the PHF have full confidence in the junior hockey team management which is capable of delivering good results.