ISLAMABAD: With just 19 days left before the 2016 Olympic qualifiers in Belgium, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is yet to set up a training camp for the national team.

The reason for the delay in setting up camp: lack of funds.

“We had planned to start the camp either in Lahore or Islamabad from Monday but we haven’t been able to do so due to shortage of funds,” PHF secretary Rana Mujahid told Dawn on Monday.

“We’re trying our best to start it in the next two to three days. The players are ready to join the camp and talks are ongoing with the government for the release of funds.”

According to PHF’s activity calendar, the national team is slated to leave for Belgium by June 10 and head coach Shahnaz Sheikh said it was imperative to start the camp as soon as possible.

“The camp should’ve begun from today,” he told Dawn. “This is a major tournament for us but I have no idea when we will start training as we [PHF] don’t have funds.

“According to our plan, we have to reach Belgium 10 days before the event begins so the players can get acclimatized and play a few test matches against the US and Ireland but I have no idea whether we will be able to do that or not.”

Earlier in April, the PHF had started a training camp here at the Naseer Bunda Stadium but wrapped it up due to lack of funds and player injuries due to the condition of the Astro-turf at the venue.

The camp was shifted to Lahore before the team went to Australia and South Korea for practice matches but since returning on Friday, the players are still waiting for the resumption of training.

“We are doing our best to facilitate the national squad,” secretary of the Ministry for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ejaz Chaudhry told Dawn on Monday. “We have to provide the funds to the PHF and hopefully the matter will be resolved in the next few days.”

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2015

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