U16 hockey trials begin

Nearly 157 under-16 hockey players participated in the hockey trials for selecting probables for attending a camp to prepare the team for taking part in the U16 Asia cup being played from April 4-7 in Singapore.

“It is a very positive sign that a large number of players participated in the trials in which eight sessions were held to judge the individual talent of players “,said national junior coach, former Olympian Danish Kaleem said after a trial session here on Tuesday at outer ground of National Hockey Stadium.

He said trials at Peshawar were completed and trials at Karachi were postponed owing to unavoidable circumstances and now they will be held from February 22-23.

Pakistan Hockey Federations consultant, Tahir Zaman and national coaches, Ajmal Khan and Rehan Butt watched the players in action. Secretary, PHF, Mohammad Asif Bajwa and manager of the Pak junior team, Rana Mujahid were also present.

Danish said the national coaches keeping in view the large participation of players have decided to extend the trials for another two-day. “ We are extending the trials as a number of junior players are approaching to feature in the trials,” he asserted.

He said national coaches are shortlisting the promising players for attending a training camp for the build up of the team for the Cup.

Tahir Zaman said: “Nearly forty players will be selected to attend the camp as selectors are minutely observing the players and the best available talent will be selected for finalizing the national junior team.”

He said no compromise would be made on age of the players and only under age players will be selected keeping in view the future of Pakistan hockey. “ It is the base of our game and we want to make sure that only deserving players are selected because we will be grooming them under a long term plan to fill the void in national junior team”.