KARACHI, June 7: Pakistan are capable of qualifying for next year’s Junior World hockey tournament.

This was stated by junior team coach Jahangir Butt on Saturday.

He said he was unsure about the number of teams participating in the event, which would be hosted by Malaysia and Singapore jointly, but expected three more teams apart from the two hosts and Pakistan.

“Our team is well-equipped for the Asia Cup and we are confident of qualifying for Junior World Cup,” he said.

Junior team’s training camp commences at the Islamabad Sports Complex from Tuesday.

He said four of his players, namely Mohammad Ateeq, Mohammad Irfan, Fareed Ahmad and Mohammad Zubair who were touring with the senior team would join the camp on their return from Dublin after the four-nation event.

He added that he would be working hard with the panel of coaches including Kamran Ashraf and Danish Ashraf on remedial steps to curb the shortcomings and grey areas of the team.

He said the two-day trials to select an 18-member Pakistan squad for the Asia Cup will be held on June 18 and 19.—APP