PHF vows to keep hockey probables fit

ISLAMABAD: In an effort to keep national probables fit and ready for future international commitments, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has decided to keep a close check on the activities of 36 probables through social media and monitor their activities on a daily basis.

Talking to ‘The News’, national team’s Head Coach Khawaja Junaid said that a meeting was arranged between Asif Bajwa, secretary PHF and Chief Selector Manzoor Hasan on Monday (in line with all the required instructions made by the government). The meeting was also attended by PHF President Brig (r) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar through video link.

“We have formed a Whatsapp group comprising all the probables being trained in the camp, trainers and coaches. This group is aimed at getting updates on each and every probable as what he had been doing when it comes to keeping himself fit and ready for upcoming national and international events. We pray to Almighty Allah to save the world from this virus

and help it get to normal.

By the grace of Allah if everything gets back to normal in a few months, we want these players to get fit and ready for international commitments. So we would stay in close contact with the probables and will monitor their activities on a daily basis.”

Junaid said that there were many ways to keep ourselves fit and ready while staying at home. “The one is mirror hockey drill, making all-out efforts to keep an individual physically fit by establishing a small place for exercise at home. Our trainers and physical instructors would impart these probables different exercises through video link or Whatsapp. So every effort will be made to keep probables fit and ready by the time they would be in a position to come out and start playing on the field again.”

PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa will keep a close check on the developments through video link and with coordination of all related support staff. “There is a need to keep professional athletes ready and toned up for international commitments and current scenario needs something out of the box solution to help them stay ready and fit.”