December 12, 2007	Wednesday	Zilhaj 1, 1428

KARACHI, Dec. 11: Pakistan coach Manzoor-ul-Hasan on Tuesday said great commitment and hard work were the only factors that could revive the hockey glory for the country.

“The current lot of players are lacking in commitment and hard work to excel at the highest level,” he told newsmen in an interview upon his return from Kuala Lumpur where Pakistan finished a poor 7th in the eight-nation Champions Trophy.

“Players need to show commitment and dedication for the country. They must change their attitude and approach towards the game,” the former Olympian said. “The younger players must be focussed to achieve higer goals in the game.”

Manzoor added that two bad matches against Great Britain and Malaysia changed the whole scenario for Pakistan team and led to their ouster from the next year’s Champions Trophy in Rotterdam.

“Our failure to qualify for the next year’s Champions Trophy is a major blow because it would have provided Pakistan ideal springboard for the Beijing Olympics,” he said.

“Now we are trying to arrange a European tour for the team’s preparation,” he said.

Manzoor emphasised that the players required to maintain fitness at all cost to excel on the field against tougher opponents.

“I gave several lectures to the players, emphasising that without vigorous training in the next eight months, they can not achieve anything worthwhile in the Olympics.” —APP