ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national U-18 hockey team will be playing a series with Oman scheduled to be held in Islamabad and Lahore from Sept 14 to 20.

Talking to APP, Mohammad Khurram Malik, the national U-18 team coach, said a camp for the U-18 probables (for the Oman series) was underway at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad.

“Around 140 players participated in the first phase of the camp. After shortlisting, now there are 60 players in the camp,” Khurram said. “In the coming days 40-45 players will be shortlisted further, and will be selected for the last phase of the camp.”

The coach further said that the selected team will take part in the the Asia Cup qualifying round scheduled to be held in Dhaka from Sept 24 to 30.

“Prior to the qualifying round in Dhaka, our team will feature in a series with Oman, to be held in Islamabad and Lahore, in order to prepare for the Asian event,” he said.

Khurram reckoned picking players from the grass-roots and then holding a camp for them was a very good step taken by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

“Through this camp a lot of talented players will to come to the fore,” the coach insisted.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2016