May 5, 2003	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 2, 1424

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LAHORE, May 4: The national hockey coach Shahnaz Sheikh on Sunday said Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had appointed Khalid Bashir assistant coach without his consent for the ongoing training camp.

The coach said he did not recommend Khalid as his deputy and that he came to know through team manager Col Shahid Jaffery that PHF had called Khalid for the camp.

“I will prefer those coaches as my assistants who have attended coaches clinics conducted by the PHF rather than those players or people who have never done these courses,” coach said.

However, he said Shahid Ali Khan was recommended by him to train goalkeepers. It may be recalled so far both, Khalid and Shahid, have not reported for the camp.

Shahnaz said he had no idea when the two assistant coaches would join the training camp.

The training camp has been set up here to select and prepare the squad for the two forthcoming tournaments in Australia from May 29 to June 8.

Shahnaz said he was not satisfied with the physical fitness standard of the probables of the ongoing training camp.

“I certainly not happy with the fitness standard of the boys which shows don’t have the professional approach as far as their fitness is concerned,” he said.

The coach said the fitness level of the boys must be 40 per cent during the off season, but it was only 10 per cent.

“The players should realise their responsibility. We can remove their technical flaws, but to keep themselves fit their job. Players’ below-par fitness is a big blow to the preparations of the team for the two tough tournaments ahead,” he said.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ahmad Alam joined the training camp on Sunday. He had gone to Malaysia to bring his family back.

Three other probables, Mohammad Nadeem, Sohail Abbas, Waseem Ahmad are playing in league in Germany without the permission of the PHF. Aamir Saleem is also playing in England without PHF’s consent.

Sameer Hussain left the camp after being advised four-week rest by the doctors due to muscular pain.

Defender Ali Raza also injured his nose during a penalty corner drill on Saturday. He will be out of action for a week.