Players have been sent different methods for individual training: Junaid

KARACHI: Pakistan hockey team’s head coach Khawaja Junaid has said that different training methods have been conveyed to the players in order to keep them fit, while they train inside their homes as precaution against the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The virus has hit global sports, including hockey, as several international events have been called off. On Wednesday, the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) announced that this year’s Junior Asia Cup has also been postponed.

Pakistan were due to participate in the tournament along with hosts Bangladesh, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Chinese Taipei, Oman and Uzbekistan. The event was scheduled to be played in Dhaka from June 4-12. The new dates for the tournament will be announced soon, according to a PHF official.

The women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2020 has also been called off due to COVID-19 outbreak. However, Junaid wants players to maintain their fitness level during isolation.

“The individual training programs for both senior and junior players have been sent to them via WhatsApp and other communication apps,” Junaid said. “A diet plan to keep them fit has also been communicated to the players,” he added.

“We have directed the players to train in any open space in their homes where they can practise dribbling, cutting and carrying.” But he said that this method will be difficult for goalkeepers to implement.

“We have asked the goalkeepers to use tennis balls for training. They will throw the balls to the wall and then practise stopping them with their bodies. This will improve their reaction time,” he explained.

“We have sent different training guidelines to each players according to their role. The PC specialists have been given instructions on how to practise dragging the ball to improve their accuracy and timing. However, this way they will still not be able to practise dodging the defenders and goalkeeper,” he added. Junaid said that both the senior and junior team management will take the players’ feedback on the current training methods in a couple of days.