Some mediamen seem to be a tad confused about the rebuilding phase that Pakistan hockey is going through.

As soon as the names of certain seniors were announced for the forthcoming national camp, there were a few things said about the team management ‘going back on its words’ by recalling the seniors instead of persisting with fresh faces that it had spotted in the last few months. As one of the officials involved in this whole exercise, I wish to clarify that nothing of the sort has happened, and that the rebuilding process is very much under way.

After taking over the reins of the national team after it faced an embarrassing disaster at the Asian Games that were held in Doha, I had made it clear at the very outset that the doors of the team management would remain open to all. Those who wish to come in will find it as open as those wishing to go out through that door. In my personal capacity and my capacity as manger and chief coach of the national team, I had not shut the door on anyone. The situation remains the same today. As such, there is no issue of anyone going back on their words.

The confusion seems to be based on the perception that recalling a few players to the national camp means they have been picked in the final squad. That is like jumping to conclusion instead of attempting to understand what is going on. The thing is that anyone can make it to the national squad if he is fit, motivated and committed enough to the cause of the national game. There is no exception to this basic rule as far as I am concerned.

The Champions Trophy is naturally a serious assignment which will be followed in quick time by the Beijing Olympics. It is only logical to have the best resource on display at the Olympics and, in turn, it makes sense to be cent per cent sure about what the best combination is well ahead of the key assignment. As such, the Champions Trophy provides us with a perfect stage to try a few things out. If the discarded seniors have something left in them, it is an opportunity for them to make a statement with their performance. We have only expressed our intent of keeping the doors open to all.

Sohail Abbas, Waseem Ahmed, Ghazanfar Ali and Dilawar Hussain have been given this new lease of life because no one denies their performances in the past. Now it is up to them to prove their motivation, commitment and, above all, fitness. The basic criterion remains unchanged. Whether these players can make the most of this opportunity or will miss out on it, is something that is entirely in their own hands. In fact, if anyone else has a claim in this regard, he could also get in touch with the national selectors.

One thing that needs to be kept in mind is the fact that the team management has zero tolerance for even the slightest act of indiscipline. We have played four tournaments in the last few months and there has been no problem on this count on or off the field. The boys have gelled together admirably and behave well as the country’s ambassadors every time they meet an opponent. They have played fair hockey on the field of play and have won the hearts of rival players, tournament officials and the masses with their behaviour off the field. They have kept their cool even when umpiring decisions have gone woefully wrong against them. The award of Fair Play Trophy at the Asia Cup was a just recognition of their behaviour. Those on the way back shall know that there will be no compromise on discipline. Those with an attitude will do well to stay where they are.