Senior Pak hockey players reject trials

Senior Pak hockey players reject trials
EXPRESS News Service

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 10: Pakistan's new hockey manager Islahuddin Siddiqui has tried to allay fears of some senior players by saying that fit players are welcome at the January 13-14 Karachi selection trials for the Olympic qualifiers at Osaka, Japan. However, Siddiqui also added to the growing uncertainty by insisting that Pakistan ``does not need experience, but fit players.''

``We have nothing against any player, senior or junior. Anyone who is fit and playing good hockey will be taken in the national team,'' Siddiqui told Pakistan's The News recently.

Former stars like Tahir Zaman, Mansoor Ahmed and Naveed Alam have shown interest in coming back to the National side, but are reportedly against appearing in the open trials which they fear will not be held on merit.

``It's so easy for them (PHF) to call us for open trials and then reject us by saying that we are not fit,'' a former top player said. ``How can one prove that he is fit and in form by just playing for a couple of hours,'' he added. Theywant to be selected for the first camp so that they can get a chance to make it to the final trials in February.

PAK REACT TO `ADVERSE DRAW': PHF has officially taken up the matter of adverse draw of the Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament with the organisers as well as the Asian Hockey Federation and the International Hockey Federation. They play South Korea on February 17, India the next day, New Zealand on February 20, Malaysia on February 21, Germany on February 23 and Canada on the following day.