15 October 2004	Friday	29 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Oct 14: Pakistan penalty corner striker Sohail Abbas said on Thursday that he would play until 2006 World Cup in Germany. "However, I will be taking a long break from the game after Champions Trophy in Lahore," he told reporters after a reception hosted in his honour by employer Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC).

"I want to conserve my energy for future international competitions. But I will keep playing in league hockey in the Netherlands and other national events," he said. "After the World Cup, it depends on my form and fitness."

Sohail, who represented Pakistan in 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympics, said his biggest disappointment in sport was not that he failed to help Pakistan win any major title.

"Achieving the world record was not my ambition. My desire now is to help Pakistan win Champions Trophy in Lahore." Sohail said he had decided to keep the ball through which he scored 268th goal against India to create the new world record earlier held by the Netherlands Paul Litjens.

"This is a special ball for me and I will keep it among my souveniers." Despite being a short corner striker, Sohail said, he gave importance to field goals. "Field goals create more excitement and attract hockey followers."

Sohail said he would not be bothered if field goals were given more importance in the future in international hockey. "With the introduction of new European structure in Asian hockey, things are changing and we got to adopt the same."

The full-back called for introducing professionalism in sports at world level and said more innovations and changes were required to make hockey more attractive and exciting.

Sohail urged to launch 60-minute hockey with four-breaks in colour clothing to make it more lively and thrilling. The President of Pakistan has announced Rs2million cash award for Sohail which is to be given on Friday at President's House.

"This sort of recognition and honour give you boost and help you in performing even better for the country," he said. Sohail Abbas complimented the Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans' role in restructuring Pakistan's hockey and giving new dimension to the game in Pakistan.

"Its bad luck for the team and him (Oltmans) that we could not win any major title during his tenure," he said and added he was disappointed to see the Dutchman leaving Pakistan team after Champions Trophy in December. -APP