KARACHI, May 27: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Tariq Kirmani on Saturday said 2008 Beijing Olympics is federation’s target.

“We are making a long term planning for the betterment of hockey,” he told reporters at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium after watching camp probables in action for next month's Azlan Shah Cup.

Kirmani said PHF had no magic wand to achieve results in short time. “We are concentrating on junior lot of players to bring the glory back to the country in Olympics.”

He expressed his full confidence in coach Asif Bajwa and said he had the full support from PHF.

The PHF chief said like the senior team, juniors would also have one man responsible for team training and management and manager’s position would be abolished.

He ruled out the return of penalty corner expert Sohail Abbas. “Neither we are considering Sohail nor are we trying to call him in the camp.”

Meanwhile, forward Saleem Khalid, who was called up along with Mohammad Mudassir, joined the camp on Saturday, increasing the strength of the trainees to 32.

Forward Zakirullah and halfback Mohammad Khalid will not join the camp because of fitness problems.—APP