These days, there is a lot of mention of the Pakistani cricketers’ fitness camp in Abbottabad, also referred to as the boot camp. Recently a hockey training camp was held in Abbottabad for 16 days in which 40 junior players participated under the supervision of head coach Tahir Zaman. The importance of the current batch of hockey juniors can’t be over-emphasised. After the national side’s failure to qualify for this year’s Olympics, all eyes are on the colts.

Pakistan’s show at the next junior World Cup in December holds great significance for the future of the game in this country.

That will be Pakistan’s sole participation in any global hockey event at least over next two years.

Tahir, a former captain of the national team and FIH’s Grade 1, High Performance Coach, laughed when asked if this was also a boot camp. "No, but at the same time it was different from any hockey camp conducted before," he said.

The camp had multiple aims. Hockey, one of the fastest team games, requires ultimate fitness. "Abbottabad at an altitude of 1,200 metres is an ideal location to improve cardiopulmonary ability. The boys climbed different hills with varying difficulties. There was gym and speed endurance training as well. Towards the end, tests were carried out which showed improvement in the colts’ cardiopulmonary efficiency. We also had the expertise of former Pakistan hockey captain Rana Ghazanfar, a level III fitness coach who has been working in England for quite some time," said Tahir.

Skill improvement was another important aspect. "In today’s game, there are far more attempts on the goal but, unfortunately, in the recent international outings, goalkeeping has proved to be our weakest link. The net minders were given special training on modern lines by not one but two goalkeeping coaches: Arshad Hussain, a former international and Waqas Butt.

"Penalty corners often make all the difference. Conversion as well as defence is of equal importance.  Attention was given to all the three stages of execution: accurate and swift injection, proper stoppage and aiming different areas of the target i.e. goal. Then various indirect drills were also practised. In defending penalty corners, we tried to make the defenders realise their respective roles, the rushers and the goal line defenders.

"Conceding soft penalty corners is often a cause of disaster. Hence, circle defence was given due importance. It has been observed that our players often succumb to pressure situations, for instance, when surrounded by a number of opponents. Situations were created and other teammates had to make quick decisions to create options for the boy in possession.  Likewise, they were taught how to put opponents under pressure.

"Sometimes, there were three sessions in a day to make the boys physically and mentally tougher," Tahir said.

Video analysis forms an important component of training in sports. "There were regular video sessions to have a look at the training carried out. We also watched Pakistan juniors’ matches at their last international assignment, the junior Asia Cup, and discussed our strengths and shortcomings," added Tahir.

Normally, the camp trainees play a match in the evening among themselves, but not this time. "From the technical aspect, skill improvement was the focus. However, towards the end, two matches were played for assessment. It gave us immense satisfaction that the boys showed marked progress in all the areas," claimed Tahir who has coached the national teams, men and women, of four countries and is also the FIH Academy Coach Educator -- the only Asian to have this status.

He was assisted at Abbottabad by Zeeshan Ashraf, also a former Pakistan captain.

"We have talked about the cardiopulmonary efficiency, skill improvement and mental strength.  You might think this would have made the boys crazy. All the activities were carried out in a relaxed atmosphere. There were barbecue nights and social evenings where boys sang and told jokes.  They were also taken to sightseeing tours to picturesque areas such as Ayubia and Nathiagali.

"The 40 boys were lodged in four dormitories. In order to develop sense of responsibility and enhance confidence, each dormitory was assigned a head boy who was given various tasks. The head boy was changed every two days. Lads who appeared shy by nature were given more responsibilities.

"We also wanted boys to remain focused. They know the importance of the Junior World Cup for the country’s hockey. At the end, the trainees were asked, ‘How do you feel?’ They responded, ‘We feel physically and mentally better’."

Tahir desires to keep the boys engaged in some meaningful activity till the World Cup in December. "Players have been given homework. I will also be in touch with them over phone. Next, we have planned Hockey-5 tournament during Ramazan. Many of our problems can be addressed through Hockey-5 which entails all the skills of 11-a-side hockey except the penalty corners. "As the game is played in a smaller area with just four outfield players, the pace is faster. The situation changes frequently from attack to defence and vice versa. It has been observed that our players often take more time to adapt to this changing scenario. Hockey-5 will not only help in overcoming this weakness but should also improve communication and ball watching skills, two other sore points. Then goalkeeping skills will also be sharpened," said Tahir.

He agreed that there was no substitute to good international competition. "In July, Pakistan juniors will tour Germany for a tournament involving the junior sides of the three highest-ranked European nations, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. We also plan to play a few games against top German clubs and are hopeful for two matches against the Netherland juniors as well," he said.

Asked where he sees Pakistan at the 2016 Junior World Cup, he said: "Pakistan finished ninth at the last edition. The way the boys are showing improvement and more importantly enthusiasm, I have realistic hopes for a top-6 finish."

Tahir, the World Cup winner (1994), has had stints with Pakistan’s national senior and junior sides before with not very good results. This time around he seems to mean business. In his first assignment with this junior squad, Sultan of Johor Cup, Pakistan finished last.  Still, he was confident of his team’s chances at the 2015 Junior Asia Cup which doubled up as the junior World Cup qualifier. And Pakistan not only qualified but also ended a creditable second.  Those who witnessed both the above events in Malaysia commented, "There was a visible improvement in Pakistan’s performance."

After an extensive training camp, quality domestic competition and international exposure, one can hope that Pakistan team achieves the target set up by its head coach.

The future of Pakistan hockey might be defined in India this December -- hopefully for the better.