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| September 18, 2002 | Wednesday | Rajab 10, 1423 |
Usman to skip Asian Games
LAHORE, Sept 17: Right-half Mohammad Usman has expressed his non-availability for the national hockey team which will be announced on Wednesday for the 14th Asian Games being held in Busan, South Korea from Sept 29 to Oct 14.
Meanwhile, inside-left Khalid Saleem is also on the injury list. He is facing pain in his back.
The bearded Usman said that he was feeling a hamstring problem and conveyed his decision to the team management. He said that the doctor advised him three weeks rest.
It may be recalled that this is the second consecutive Asian Games for which Usman has been unfit. The veteran of 322 matches got his ankle twisted when only two days were left for the team’s departure to Thailand for the Asiad in 1998. He had been named as captain of that team.
Usman, 31, expressed his wishes for the team’s victory in the Asian Games.
Meanwhile, the coach Tahir Zaman said that inside-left Khalid Saleem was also feeling pain in his back. The chances to include Saleem in the team were remote, he said.
Centre-forward Kamran Ashraf who was invited for the ongoing training camp has already called it a day on Sunday.
Thus the Pakistan Hockey Federation has to make three replacements from the team which took part in the last Champions Trophy held in Germany this month.
The suitable replacements would be made after detail discussion, Zaman said.
Meanwhile goalkeeper Ahmad Alam and Aamir Salim reported to the training camp on Tuesday.
However, penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas is yet to join the camp.
Abbas was likely to reach here late on Tuesday night to join the camp, coach Zaman said.
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