LAHORE, March 1: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary on Saturday said appointments had been made on merit and junior team manager Col Abur Rauf was not federation’s blue-eyed boy.

Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan, while speaking at a reception in honour of junior squad, said “There is no nepotism and PHF appoints the officials on merit. Rauf did a good job. I predict the team will give good results in the World Cup qualifying round next year.”

Pakistan Juniors are to depart on Sunday for Cairo, Egypt, where they play in the seven-nation Akhbar Al Youm tournament from March 6.

Rauf said he was not worried about the victory in the tournament. He said Pakistan would be fielding a young side, while participants their senior teams.

The sponsors of the tour said special incentives would be offered if the team performed well at tournament it reached the victory stand and beat arch-rivals India.

The best player of the tournament from Pakistan, which would be selected by the team management, would also be given special prize, the bank announced.