Pakistan-India junior hockey series: PHF names 20-member squad

By Mirza Iqbal Baig

KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Sunday named a 20-member squad for a junior hockey series against archrivals India starting in Pakistan from November 11. A five-member selection committee, headed by former Olympian Hassan Sardar, selected the team after trials here at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium. PHF president Qasim Zia was also present on the occasion. Forward Shafqat Rasool will lead the junior team while full back Kashif Ali will be his deputy. Hassan told reporters that in future those players who would be selected in the senior team would not be considered for selection in the junior squad.

Qasim said the PHF had introduced a slogan ‘Men in Green’ which would inspire the youngsters to play hockey. “Directives from the Prime Minister Secretariat have already been issued to the Allied Bank of Pakistan, United Bank Limited, Muslim Commercial Bank and Pakistan Customs to recruit hockey players in their teams besides opening the sports departments.” Qasim said at present Pakistan’s ranking was 8th in the world and 6th in Asia. “We have targeted the 2010 Asian Games and 2012 Olympic Games.” He said he would meet the Sindh Chief Minister to chalk-out a plan for the promotion of hockey in Sindh.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Imran Shah and Waqas Ahmed. Fullbacks: Kashif Ali, Mohammad Ateeq and Imran Abbas. Halfbacks: Mohammad Irfan, Zaheer Ahmed, Amir Shehzad, Fareed Ahmed and Mohammad Rashid. Forwards: Adeel Hussain, Shafquat Rasool (captain), Haseem Khan, Mohammad Zubair, Mohammad Shahbaz, Rizwan, Taufeeq, Yasir, Hasan Akhtar and Azlan Khan. Officials: Qamar Ibrahim (chief coach) Danish Kaleem and Ahmed Alam (coaches), Faiz-ur-Rehman (physio) and Nadeem Lodhi (video analyst).