Selection trials conducted for Azlan Shah

With less than a fortnight to go for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia Hockey India conducted selection trials of 32 players on Friday in the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.

Selectors AB Subbaiah and RP Singh, along with Harbinder Singh and Roelant Oltmans were present in the morning when the selection trials were held at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium.

Since that day Delhi Hockey State Selection were also held on the other turfs, and the boys and girls were expected wait for the Play Field No.2 was to be free after PNB Training Session, all them came to Playfield No.3 and witnessed Indian team trials, which were really seen worthy.

This will be Paul van Ass’ first assignment after taking over as the coach of the Indian men’s hockey team. Keeping it in mind, Hockey India is most likely to send a full-strength team for the six-nation event. Earlier in 2013, the last time India had participated in the tournament, India had sent a development team and rested the seniors.

“It is Paul’s first assignment after taking over as the coach of the Indian team. So, most likely we will send a full-strength team for the Azlan Shah. The senior players will also be included,” said high performance director Roelant Oltmans after the training session Thursday.

However, for coach Van Ass, more than the Azlan Shah, his first medium term target is the World League scheduled in December this year. “Azlan Shah Cup will help us fine tune the team and test the players but the World League in December will give us aclarity on where we stand as a medal contender for the Rio Olympics.”