ISLAMABAD - Pakistan hockey team head coach and manager Shahnaz Sheikh described his team's preparations for the Asian Games as per expectations.
Talking to The Nation on Monday, Shahnaz said: “The boys are working very hard on short corners and our main focus is on goalkeeping. In the past, the team suffered due to these two areas and now, I am very satisfied that our hard work for the last three months or so has paid great dividend, despite taking a few days rest in between, the players passed all the tests in flying colors.”
When asked about completion of third and last phase of the camp and about departure of team for foreign trip for preparations of the Asian Games, he replied: “Spain has confirmed series with Pakistan. The dates will be finalized soon. I have proposed the PHF August 20 for foreign series with different countries and clubs and return on August 31. It is now up to the federation to finalize the dates.” As many as 35 players have reported to the third phase of the camp. “We will finalize squad on August 16.”
When asked about central contracts to the players and other staff, Shahnaz replied: “We are still waiting for the contracts. I will urge the PHF to first award contracts to the players and other staff and then to me. I joined the federation with only one thing in mind and that was to take Pakistan hockey back to old glory days. I didn’t demand anything from the PHF. The matter of the fact is I have not set any conditions and not discussed a single thing with the federation as far as my personal terms and conditions are concerned.”
When asked about the IPC minister’s announcement of Rs 5 million for the federation instead of Rs 500 million, which the PHF was demanding, Shahnaz declined to comment on the issue and just stated: “One must keep in mind ground realities. The matter of the fact is Rs 5 million is not even enough for clearing dues of the players, coaches, selectors, how will it be possible for the PHF to send the team abroad for series and take the team to the Asian Games. In my sense, even Rs 500 million are not enough to prepare Pakistan hockey team, as we have to dig really deep to overcome root causes of Pakistan teams miserable performances. I am taking team out from almost ashes and it is my challenge no one could have done better than me and my staff in such a short span of time. I had worked tirelessly with the boys, visited different cities and remained in the camp with the players.”
“It was not an easy task to lift the morale of the players and prepare them mentally and physically in such a short span of time. The players looked dejected after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in our history. But I give them new belief and the players responded well. But one must understand ground realities, we have not played a single international series or match for the last 10 months, while on the other hand, our rivals India, Malaysia and Korea are playing on consistent basis and involved in regular events. But even then we have quite realistic chances to defend the Asian Games title.”
Meanwhile, NADRA chairman M Imtiaz Tajwar visited national camp here at Naseer Bunda Stadium. Coach Shahnaz introduced Imtiaz with the players and other staff. He expressed his satisfaction over the players’ training and ordered his staff to visit the camp. Shahnaz advised Imtiaz to establish hockey teams of Nadra. It will provide jobs to the players and help a great deal to the country in finding players. Imtaiz promised to look into the matter and discuss with the sports department. Shahnaz also requested NADRA chairman to continue support to the PHF like they did in the past.