August 18, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 15, 1429

BEIJING, Aug 17: Pakistan hockey captain Zeeshan Ashraf has said he is considering retirement from international hockey after the ongoing Olympics.

“I will decide about it after consulting the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the team management,” he said at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Sunday, adding that retirement was in his mind and all depended on the situation and his fitness.

Deep defender Zeeshan is playing in his second Olympics and has figured in 298 Internationals.

“If the PHF wants me to serve the country, my services are available,” he said, hinting that he wanted to play next year’s Asia Cup.

He said the future of hockey in Pakistan was bleak and they had to work hard at the grass roots level to attract large number of youth towards hockey for its revival.

“Young talent should get a chance in the squad and be encouraged,” he added.

Zeeshan was of the view that Pakistan needed a major breakthrough at the international level for revival of sports which unfortunately was not forthcoming.

He said he felt very disappointed and sorry that Pakistan hockey was passing through a bad patch and despite working very hard, luck was eluding the country.

“We played well against Australia and attacked their goal more than they attacked our goal but it is the result of the match which counts,” he remarked.

The 31-year-old skipper maintained that it had always been his dream to win a gold medal for Pakistan.

“Leading the national hockey team at the Beijing Olympics and carrying Pakistan’s flag at the opening ceremony were unforgettable moments of my life,” he commented.—APP