May 2, 2003	Friday	Safar 29, 1424

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LAHORE, May 1: The chief coach of the Pakistan hockey team said that the missing of three senior players from the training camp without taking any permission from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) although shattering his plans, would not stop him from claiming victory in the forthcoming two three-nation tournaments to be held in Australia from May 29 to June 8.

It has been reported that skipper Muhammad Nadeem, full-back Sohail Abbas and half-back Muhammad Wasim, without getting permission from the PHF had left for Germany to play league hockey and did not report to the camp which has been set up on Tuesday to pick up the team for the said tournaments. Former captain Ahmad Alam is also missing from the camp. But Ahmad went to Malaysia after obtaining permission and will join the camp on May 2. Besides Pakistan, India and the two teams of the hosts Australia are competing in two tournaments.

“I am an optimistic man and I will fight to earn victory in Australia and will not go for only the victory stand,” Shahnaz, who joined the training camp late on Thursday due to his ailing wife, said while talking to Dawn.

Shahnaz said that first of all he had no knowledge about the whereabouts of the missing players. Secondly, he would emphasise to build up a strong team if three key players were missing. The task was quite possible, he said.

“I have built up a 16-member team during the Azlan Shah Cup and I believe all the 16 players are equally good, therefore, I am not a worried person at the moment”, the former Olympian said.

When asked who will replace those three players, Shahnaz said Ghazanfar Ali, Ali Raza and an upcoming lad Imran Khan were the replacements available with him for Sohail, Ghazanfar Ali and Dilawer. Equally good in place of Wasim Ahmad, Khalid Saleem and Shabbir would be enough to fill the post of Muhammad Nadeem.

When asked who will be the next captain in place of Nadeem, Shahnaz said that it was premature to say and also it was the job of the PHF and its selection committee.

He also avoided to answer when was asked who will be suitable captain between two former skippers Ahmad Alam and Muhammad Sarwar.

“I can’t say anything at the moment, only time will tell”, Shahnaz said.

Shahnaz, under whose coaching Pakistan got back on the winning trail by winning the Azlan Shah Cup this year, said that a victory in Australia would be bigger than the Azlan Shah Cup and would print a good impact for Pakistan’s chances in the Champions Trophy to be held in Holland in August this year.

“As three teams, also participating in the Champions Trophy, will be competing in Australia, therefore, a win will give an edge to Pakistan before entering in the world’s toughest competition”, Shahnaz added

He said that most probably Pakistan would test some new players in Australia.

“Our target is the Olympics-2004 and before that I want to do some tests for which such tournaments are the best to judge your team’s chances”, Shahnaz said.

The coach said that he would do a lot of reshuffling during the camp and would switch some players from right to left and for that he had prepared a comprehensive plan.

While replying to a question, Shahnaz said that it was a difficult job to handle a good number of probables in the camp. PHF has called up 52 players for the camp and among them six are missing.

“Yes, handling of too much probables for 10 days will be an extra burden. But even it is a healthy sign that a good number of players are available in the pool”, he said.

A good number of players was necessary to put pressure on the playing eleven to deliver. Further more, a good number of competitions were ahead and a pool of 20 to 25 players was not enough to meet the demand of the heavy activities.