ISLAMABAD: Failure of 13 players to attain minimum physical fitness standards has prompted the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to axe them from the ongoing training camp at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium ahead of the Asia Cup scheduled to be held in October in Bangladesh.

“As per the report of physical trainer Nasrullah, 13 players failed to attain minimum standards of physical fitness due to which the camp management has dropped them from the camp,” said a press release issued by PHF on Sunday.

Speaking to Dawn, PHF secretary Shahbaz Senior said that importance is being laid on the fitness level of players. “The players should be super fit for playing modern-day hockey, otherwise they could not compete at international level,” said the PHF secretary, adding that the remaining over 40 players would be imparted training until Aug 11 when almost 20 players will be shortlisted ahead of another physical fitness camp.

When asked about his and PHF’s expectations from players at the Asia Cup, the former Olympian said: “We are expecting good results but again I would say that fitness matters in present-day hockey owing to which we are focusing on players fitness,” maintained the PHF secretary.

“Players are being trained by a former Olympian which gives us hope that our players will succeed in achieving favourable results,” he further said.

Those who have been dropped from the camp are: Mohammad Ateeq, Qazi Asfandyar, Zeeshan Bukhari, Sohail Manzoor, Kashif Ali, Faisal Rasheed, Asad Aziz, Awaisur Rehman, Faraz, Usman, Nadeem, Ali Akbar and Mohsin Sabir.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2017