Junior World Cup a litmus test: former Olympians

KARACHI: Former hockey greats have hailed the government’s decision to permit Pakistani team to participate in the Junior World Cup in Lucknow, which will be held from December 8-18.

They said it was good that the government did not link sports with politics.

Olympian Samiullah told ‘The News’ the performance of both junior and senior teams in the coming months would tell if PHF’s work has been in the right direction.

He thanked the government for providing appropriate funds for hockey.

Samiullah said that Junior World Cup’s pool for Pakistan was tough and the team should go only to win. “They should not think that that team is strong and that is weak. They should give their hundred percent in every game.

“Egypt is not as weak as some people might think. The game has been totally changed and the gap between teams has been considerably reduced. Argentina’s win in the Olympics proves that,” he claimed.

Samiullah said the juniors were playing well but there were some weaknesses, especially in the defence and goalkeeping. “The bench officials should be very quick in decision-making because now they have no time to experiment.

“Mental toughness will also be required for these matches.  Pakistan should target three straight wins,” he said.

Former Olympian Qamar Zia said that all former Olympians and international players should give suggestions and confidence to boost the performance of the junior team. “They should play bravely, put in their best and leave the result to God.

“The team management will have to plan for making defence sound and goalkeeper strong.

“We hope that their (PHF’s) efforts are successful and Pakistan once again emerge on the world hockey scene and qualify for the World Cup and the Olympics. They have spent one and a half years in restructuring domestic hockey and building senior and junior teams. Now is the time to prove that their strategies have been correct,” said Qamar.