PHF to focus on fitness of players, says Bajwa

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) plans long duration training camps for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup as action starts with fitness training in the second week of February.

PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa told ‘The News’ that a lengthy plan for players’ fitness and training has been devised for international commitments in 2020. “In modern day hockey, fitness is key to success. Fitness is probably more important than training and international exposure. Our main focus will be to keep all national team probables fit and ready for international commitments. After missing the Olympics, now we are thinking on building the future of Pakistan hockey with continuous fitness training, coaching and international exposure,” he said.

After skipping the 2019 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, the national team will feature in the 2020 edition in the first half of April in Malaysia.

“There are a few international commitments ahead of us with Sultan Azlan Shah Cup being at the top. We have planned extensive training for the tournament starting with the fitness training camp,” Bajwa said. “Efforts will be made to attain that level of fitness with which players will be capable of giving their best without any fear of losing stamina in the whole 60 minutes of play.”

The first of training camps for juniors has already concluded at the National Stadium in Lahore. “The selectors are planning to invite around eight to ten junior players for the senior fitness camp also. That will provide them and the team management a good opportunity to prepare and look at the top players and their back up when it comes to comparing the players’ fitness.”

The action will then shift to Karachi’s Abdul Sattar Edhi Club where the technical training for the Azlan Shah Cup will get under way in late February or early March. “The management’s main focus will be to prepare the team for coming international commitments. This camp will continue till the departure of the team for Malaysia,” Bajwa said.

‘The News’ has learnt that negotiations are on with other countries to figure in a tri-nation series. “A tri-nation series and the Asian Champions Trophy are also on the cards this year. We are also negotiating with other federations for bilateral series and bilateral tours in coming months. However, these negotiations are in the early stages,” he said.