May 21, 2002	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 8,1423

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LAHORE, May 20: Injuries to several probables forced the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Monday to wrap up the training camp early.

The camp was set up here for the tour to Spain and Commonwealth Games in Manchester in July.

It will resume from June 3, while final trials to select a 16-member squad will be held on June 15.

However, the chief selector, Col S.K. Tressler (retd), while announcing the 31 shortlisted trainees, had said the camp would continue for three days after a day’s rest Sunday.  Mohammad Qasim, Salman Akbar, Mohammad Sarwar, Mohammad Saqlain, Mudassir Ali Khan all sustained injuries during the training.

The next phase of the camp is likely to be held under lights at the National Hockey Stadium. The idea is to avoid holding evening session in the scorching heat.

Thirty-six players who attended the first phase of the training camp from May 6 to 18 faced difficulties due to hot weather. Eight of the probables received injuries because of blistering heat.

Besides, due to the PHF’s decision to resume the camp from June 3, the departments may not be able to field full-strength teams in the All-Pakistan Gen Musa Khan tournament which starts from June 1 in Quetta.