LAHORE, Nov 13: The six-day national hockey training camp for next months Champions Trophy concluded on Saturday at National Hockey Stadium (NHS) which resumes on Nov 18 after the arrival of coach.
The 21 probables, except Mudassir Ali who is suffering from temperature, are physically fit. Foreign coach Roelant Oltmans, who opted to go to his home country The Netherlands after recent series against India, will join the camp on Nov 23 instead of Nov 21 as scheduled earlier.
Meanwhile, the arrangements for the tournament are expected to be completed by Nov 20, three days before the participating teams start arriving. However, the new pitch at the venue is still being laid by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), although the deadline was Nov 10 and less than a month is left in the prestigious event. The turf is being laid after being instructed by International Hockey Federation (FIH).
The players had to train on NHS's outer ground since laying of the pitch at the main ground is still in progress. India, who have replaced Olympic champions Australia who pulled out of the tournament because of security fears, will arrive here on Dec 2.
Other participants are New Zealand, Germany, The Netherlands and Spain. New Zealand will be the first team to arrive on Nov 23, while Germany will reach on Nov 29 followed by the Dutch on Dec 1. The arrival programme of Spaniards is yet to be confirmed.
Sixteen FIH officials, including president Mrs Els Van Breda will also be here. Breda arrives on Dec 7. Bjorn Ake Wilhelm Isberg will be tournament director.
