October 05, 2006	Thursday	Ramazan 11, 1427

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KARACHI, Oct 4: Pakistan junior hockey coach Manzoor Hussain has taken a complete U-turn by releasing seven players for the senior national training camp, although he had earlier stated he would not allow his players to graduate for senior camp before two years.

The former Olympian’s decision to accept PHF’s demand to promote some junior players to senior national training camp, indeed, comes as a surprise after his categoric denial to do so in August.

“I have just taken over. It is for the PHF administration to decide whether replacements are needed after the World Cup. But what I can say is that I will not send any of my players to senior squad before two years,” Manzoor had told Dawn on Aug 9 upon his return from Singapore where team won a four-nation tournament.

Lack of experience and basic skills were the reasons why Manzoor had wanted his players to remain with the junior team before moving ahead.

“They (players) are raw at the moment. I want to groom them and put them on fast track by teaching and correcting their basic skills. I don’t think that they would be able to cope up pressure if any of them is drafted directly after the World Cup to replace seniors,” he had said two months ago.

But now a more submissive Manzoor has allowed Haseem Khan, Zaheer, Amir, Atif, Mustansar Sheikh, Ateeq and Kashif Ali to join Pakistan senior training camp for Dec 1 to 15 Doha Asian Games which runs in two phases in Islamabad and Karachi.

Surprisingly, PHF didn’t consider Amir, although he was one of the seven junior team players who were recommended by the junior team coach.

Asked what compelled him to reverse his decision despite being so determined to stick to the current group of players, Manzoor was unconvincing in his reply that “different scenario” forced him to change plans. “I admit that I did say that I will not release any of my players for the senior camp. But now the scenario has changed. World Cup is over and we have Asian Games coming ahead. Also, the PHF has 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2010 World Cup in sight. Do you think that the present bunch of senior team players would be able to play in those events?” Manzoor questioned.

Manzoor, despite advocating now that fresh blood is needed to be infused into the senior team for the Asian Games and future assignments, however, had no satisfactory reply when asked was he not aware two months ago that some senior players would be bidding farewell to international hockey after World Cup. “What difference does it make if my players will play for seniors? They will gain valuable experience and exposure if they are selected,” he said.

Giving an example, the coach said he himself and others such as Kaleemullah, Rasheedul Hassan and Moinuddin had played hockey both at junior and senior levels simultaneously in their heyday.

Asked how he would cope with the gap created after his players get selected for the Asiad, Manzoor said: “There is no guarantee that all or any of them will be able to make room in the senior squad.”

Nevertheless, if one makes sense of Manzoor’s words, the question remains as to why seven junior players have been recommended if they are not worthy enough to be selected for the senior training camp.

Manzoor, when referred to the stance of professional, especially European and foreign coaches, in such circumstances, said he would be more interested in “cooperating” with the PHF rather than sticking to his words and plans. “I am the coach and PHF runs the administration. Since the federation has asked me to recommend players for the senior side, I have submitted a list of seven players to it.” Manzoor said he had been in constant contact with the PHF administration since the loss at the World Cup.