Pakistan Junior Hockey 21-member squad for Malaysia event announced, Dilbar Hussain will lead the national team
By. Asghar Ali Mubarak
Islamabad-The five-member Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) selection committee headed by Olympian Rashid Junior announced 21-member touring squad for the Johar Baru Invitational Hockey event starting from October 11.The team was announced following two-day selection trials held at the Bunda Hockey Ground. Other members of the selection committee Saeed Khan, Waseem Feroz, Qasim Khan and Farhat Khan also watched players in action throughout the last week of training. The team that is scheduled to depart for Malaysia on October 8 from Lahore will stay in Malaysia following the Johar Baru Tournament to prepare for the Junior Asia Cup starting in the second week of November. The team will be led by experienced Dilbar Hussain.The touring squad is: Goalkeeper: Talal Khalid and Ali Haider.Full backs: Mubashir Baig, Faisal Shah and Atif Mushtaq.Half backs: Faizan Jonty, Abu Bakhar, Mohammad Qasim, Sikandar Mustafa, M Adnan and Junaid Kamal.Forwards: Shan Irshad, Azfar,yaqoob, Dilbar Hussain, Fahad, Sohail Riaz, M Atiq, Bilal Qadir, Adnan Anwar, Mohammad Naveed and Rizwan.Reserves: Ali Raza. Full back: Zahidullah. Half back: Asfand Yaar.Forwards: Sohail Anjum, Mohsin Sabir.“Almost half of the players have already represented Pakistan internationally while rest are fresh faces and are making their first tour abroad. The team consists of the best talent available amongst the probable turned up for camp training,” Rashid Jr said. He said that three of the 21 players announced would return home before the start of the Junior Asia Cup. Meanwhile, PHF president Brig (Rtd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar who also watched players in action on the second day of trails stressed on the players who failed to earn a place on the team, to work even harder in an effort to win a place in future international teams. “You should keep your morale high and work even harder. By doing that you would definitely get chance in future international teams.” As many as 90 players assembled in two days trials at Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium on other day, to select Pakistan junior team for 5th Sultan of Johor Junior Hockey Tournament to be played in Johor Bahru, Malaysia from October 11 to 18.
PHF newly-elected president Brig (R) M Khalid Sajjad Khokhar appointed Brig (R) Khalid Mukhtar Farani, SI (M), as manager of Pakistan junior hockey team. Farani will take care of the administrative affairs of the junior team.
Talking to media, head coach Tahir zaman, who is being assisted by Irfan Senior and Zeeshan Ashraf, said: “As many as 90 players have assembled during the open trials, 25 players selected for the tournament.”
He said that the 15-day long camp would conclude on 23rd morning for Eid holidays and the players would report on 27th. “The full-fledge camp will start on September 28 with two sessions of training. The camp will likely to conclude on October 4 or 5 depending on booking of our tickets. We want to travel to Malaysia a bit earlier to prepare well before time and adjust to the conditions before the real event starts.” Tahir said they had arranged one practice match with Argentina national hockey team on October 10. “We are also in close contact with Malaysian authorities and trying to arrange two-practice matches with their national junior team. Things are in advance stage and nothing confirmed at the moment, but we are hopeful, we will be able to play two practice matches with Malaysian national junior team,” he said. Tahir said the juniors had no international exposure for the last one year and they didn’t play any international event. “The event in Malaysia will not be considered as result-oriented, as it is too early to expect over-the-moon performances from them. It will be a good experience and the juniors will get much-needed international exposure.”
“We have set our sights on the Junior Asia Cup qualification round also to be held in Malaysia from November 14. It will be the ticket for the Junior World Cup. Our main focus is to grab the World Cup berth and we are working very hard for it. My supporting staff is doing a marvelous job and we have detected a few brilliant junior players, who can become part of the national senior team in future,” Tahir concluded.PHF president Brig (retd) Khalid Khokhar has appointed Brig (retd) Khalid Mukhtar Farani as manager of Pakistan junior team. The PHF has said that Pakistan colts will participate in the tournament which will be held in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, from October 11 to 18.
