November 28, 2002	Thursday	Ramazan 22, 1423

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KARACHI, Nov 27: Pakistan hockey coach Shahnaz Sheikh Wednesday said he believed that the senior players were still good enough to play at least until 2004 Athens Olympics.

“There would be no changes in the squad for the forthcoming events. The senior players have the will, spirit, and determination to represent the country even at 2004 Olympics,” the former Olympian said.

If one goes by what Shahnaz has said it would certainly be a perfect recipe for disaster as critics believe it’s time to infuse young blood into the squad rather than depend on experienced but aging players.

The senior players have come under fire after the dismal performances during the year including bronze medals at Commonwealth Games, Champions Trophy and a disappointing fourth place at the Asian Games in Busan.

Shahnaz was adamant the present bunch of players, including goalkeeper Ahmad Alam, Mohammad Sarwar, Mohammad Saqlain, Mohammad Nadeem, and Tariq Imran, must continue, saying “they are capable of doing wonders in future assignments.”

But he was illogical and had to no reasonable answer when asked about the reason he was backing the senior players rather than inducting youth into the squad.

“The senior players should stay in the team because I say so and because it will be better for the team,” the coach, who was sacked as manager in 2000 said.

He, however, failed to elaborate his point why it would be better for the team by deciding against fielding younger players who could be groomed for Olympics and the next World Cup.

Surprisingly, banking on the senior players is against the decision of the PHF as secretary Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan is on record having stated veterans would be replaced by youngsters after 2002 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

The national side finished fifth at World Cup, but former manager Col Zafar Ali Khan and coach Tahir Zaman insisted on retaining the senior players, and now Shahnaz has opted to follow suit.

Interestingly, it was Shahnaz who, along with the then manager Khawaja Zakauddin, had taken over the reins as coach in 1998, on the condition that six “veterans” be axed.

PHF agreed and six seniors, including former strikers Shahbaz Ahmad and Tahir Zaman, were discarded after the 1998 Utrecht World Cup debacle.

Amazingly, Shahnaz now is being assisted by Tahir who was shown the door by the PHF on former’s request.

However, Shahnaz said things were “different” in 1998 when he had asked the PHF to put the seniors on the chopping-block.

“We had the replacements then, but now we have no option. We have to rely on the senior players who can deliver and are capable of holding their places.

“We scored twice within 15 minutes against India at Champions Trophy which shows senior players have the will to fight back.”

But Shahnaz accepted the side always buckled when facing pressure and added that it was a point that needed a “post-mortem.”

“The team has spirit to fight back, but then it caved in against New Zealand 7-1 at Commonwealth Games. And that needs attention and an answer to rectify the problem,” he remarked.

Questioned what would be the main challenge for him, he first said Azlan Shah Cup in March, but later changed it to Champions Trophy .