24 July 2004	Saturday	06 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

KARACHI, July 23: Akhtar Ali replaced veteran forward Mohammad Sarwar and joined Pakistan hockey squad for tour of Spain on Friday. The forward had morning session along with the team members at Hockey Club of Pakistan.

Akhtar has been called up after Sarwar refused to travel to Spain for a build-up tour before next month's Athens Olympics despite being asked to stay on by coach Roelant Oltmans.

Sarwar had felt humiliated and left the camp after he did not find a place in the 16-man squad for the Games which start from Aug 13. Akhtar, a junior team forward, was included in the senior training camp before recent European tour by Oltmans on the request of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

The mercurial forward was included by the coach in the camp on the condition that he would not be in the squad for the European tour. Oltmans had two players - Akhtar and Adnan Zakir in his mind as Sarwar's replacement. The coach finally opted for Akhtar who will only travel to Spain while the squad goes to Athens.

But it is uncertain whether the selection committee was involved before calling Akhtar since PHF claims that selectors have a great role in the selection affairs.

However, team manager Dr Lt-Col Yousuf Baig said Akhtar would go to Spain only if his visa was arranged before departure. "Akhtar will be the 18th player for Spain but on the condition that his visa is obtained.

Otherwise he will be available for Athens Olympics as a reserve since his Olympic accreditation has already been secured as a precautionary measure," the manager said. Apart from Akhtar, Imran Khan, another junior side player, will return home from Spain to make it a 16-man tour party for Olympics.

Meanwhile, Tariq Aziz, who had sprained his ankle last Monday during a session, had recovered and was fit to play, the manager said. Pakistan team will train till Tuesday and leaves for Spain the same night. They play matches against the hosts and will have some recreation before going to Athens.