PHF plans lengthy camps for Azlan Hockey

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) plans lengthy training camps for the Azlan Shah Hockey as action starts with the fitness training beginning in the second week of February.

Asif Bajwa, secretary PHF has told The News that a lengthy plan for players’ fitness and training had been planned for the 2020 international commitments. “Look in modern day hockey fitness is key to success. Fitness possibly is more important than that of training and international exposure. Our main focus from here on will to keep all national team aspirants extremely fit and ready for international commitments. After missing the Olympics, now we are thinking on building the future of Pakistan hockey with continuous fitness training, coaching and international exposure.” After skipping the 2019 Azlan Shah Hockey, Pakistan national team is now set to compete in the 2020 edition to be held in the first half of April in Malaysia. “There are a few international commitments ahead of us, competing in Azlan Shah Hockey being the top. Pakistan plans extensive training for the event starting with the fitness training camp likely to start in the second week of February. The first phase of the training will all be on improving fitness of players and improving it to the level where the selected bunch can compete against the best in the world. Efforts would be made to attain that level of fitness where selected players will be capable of giving their best without any stamina fears during the whole 60 minutes or four quarters of play.”

The first of training camp for the juniors has already concluded at the National Stadium Lahore. “Selectors are planning to invite around eight to ten junior players for the senior fitness camp also. “Besides senior team probable, some leading juniors will also be called up for the fitness camp. That will provide selectors and team management good opportunity to prepare and look at the top players and its back up when it comes to comparing fitness of all the future aspirants.”

The action will then shift to Karachi’s Abdul Sattar Eddie Club Karachi where the technical training for the Azlan Shah will get under way near the end of February or early March. “The second phase of training camp will be staged in Karachi where managements’ main focus will be to prepare the outfit for coming international commitments. This camp will continue till the departure of the team for Malaysia to figure in the Azlan Shah.”

The News has learnt that negotiations are on with other countries federations to figure in tri-nation hockey series. “Tri nation hockey series and Asian Champions Trophy are also on card during 2020. We are also negotiating with other federations for bilateral series and bilateral tours in coming months. However, these negotiations are ins its early stages,” Bajwa said.