October 1, 2007	Monday	Ramazan 18, 1428

KARACHI, Sept 30: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) finalised the Under-19 hockey squad for a six-nation tournament on Sunday but said it required the approval of federation’s president before official announcement.

Although the secretary PHF Khalid Mahmood, chief selector Khawaja Zakauddin and selector Samiullah watched the trials on the second and final day of the selection process, they didn’t reveal the squad to the media, saying it could not be done in the absence of PHF chief Zafarullah Jamali.

“We have selected the team but are waiting for the PHF president to approve it. He (Jamali) could not come to see the trials today because of political situation in the country. We will announce the squad probably by tomorrow (Monday) after the approval from the president,” Khalid told Dawn at the Hockey Club of Pakistan.

The reason to hold back the squad, however, bears little logic, especially in view of the fact that the senior Asia Cup squad was selected by team manager Islahuddin Siddiqui and announced by Khalid last month in the absence and without the approval of Jamali.

The other selector Abdul Rashid was not present at the venue during the two-day trials and according to the PHF secretary, Rashid could not watch the trials as he had gone to the US on a personal visit.

While selectors were seen watching the players during the trials, sources said the coaches had already asked captain Shafqat Rasool, probables Mohammad Zubair, Mohammad Atiq and some other senior players to “select” the team on their own.
For keen observers of the selection process, the unprofessional approach of the team management has virtually made the selection committee redundant and may also encourage player-power in the junior side.

While Atiq, who was removed as captain earlier this year after reports of indiscipline, is likely to retain his place in the team, sources said few senior players were reluctant to perform physical exercises under trainer Irshad Haider as they believed the activity was too strenuous for them.

Team manager Jahangir Butt was mostly seen sitting at the sidelines during the training camp, set up since Sept 20, while coaches Kamran Ashraf or Danish Kaleem could be seen in the field with the trainees.

Meanwhile, the PHF and the team management has adopted a discriminatory attitude towards some of the players during their stay in the metropolis. Only six senior players – Zubair, Atiq, Shafqat, Amir Shahzad, Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Zaheer – have been lodged in separate air conditioned rooms while the remaining probables have been put in a nearby hostel.

Pakistan will take part in under-19 tournament in Singapore to be played from Oct 17-21. India, Hong Kong, Australia Malaysia and Singapore are the other teams in the tournament.