ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Wednesday announced an 18-member squad for the 17th Asian Games, slated to begin in Incheon, South Korea, on Sept 19.

The national selection committee, headed by Islahuddin Siddiqui and comprising Olympian Khalid Bashir and Musaddiq Hussain, after conducting final trials announced the squad at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium here.

Head coach Shahnaz Sheikh was also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Islahuddin said the squad was finalised purely on merit.

“We considered all aspects like physical fitness, performance during the camp and other training sessions before finalising the players,” he said. To a query, he said the PHF was trying to make Europe tour before participating at the Asian Games.

He said: “The same squad will go to Europe if we undertake the tour to Europe.”

He said the PHF will announce names of captain and vice captain in next few days.

Meanwhile, PHF secretary Rana Mujahid told Dawn that Mohammad Imran and Shafqat Rasool would likely to be captain and vice captain of the squad.

Talking about the proposed Europe tour, he said the tour was not confirmed but efforts were being made for it.

“Our talks are underway with several European teams as well as with India and Malaysia,” he said, adding that Pakistan could also play an Asian country if European tour did not get materialised.

He added that all the 18 names had been forwarded to the National Olympic Committee for the Asian Games.

“However, we will reduce the names before leaving for Incheon,” he said.

Mujahid further said the PHF didn’t interfere in selection committee’s work and provided them free environment to select players.

“We have selected a balanced team and I hope this team will produce better results,” he concluded.

Squad:

Amjad Butt, Imran Butt, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Irfan, Amir Shahzad, Hamad Shakeel Butt, Mohammad Touseeq, Farid Ahmed, Rashid Mahmood, Rizwan junior, Kashif Shah, Mohammad Waqas, Umar Bhutta, Shahfqat Rasool, Abdul Haseem Khan, Mohammad Dilbar, Shakeel Abbasi and Rizwan senior.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2014