KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has included 11 new faces in the ongoing national hockey camp in the aftermath of staying away of nine senior players who preferred to compete in a professional league instead of national duty.

With the inclusion of 11 players, the strength of the probables has risen to 34.

The camp under the supervision of Dutch coach Siegfried Aikman has been set up in preparation of the 29th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup being held at Ipoh from Nov 1 to 10.

The players were picked during the the second all-Pakistan Chief Minister Balochistan Hockey Gold Cup followed by open trials at the Gen Musa Hockey Stadium in Quetta the other day.

Members of the selection committee headed by Olympian Kaleemullah Khan and comprising Nasir Ali, Rahim Khan and Laeeq Lashari gave their nod after watching the players in action. Shakeel Abbasi, another member of the committee, could not attend the meeting due to some prior commitments.

At the time of filing of this report, eight players had reported at the camp while the remaining three are expected to join by Friday.

New players: Abdul Rafay (goal-keeper); Saad Shafiq, Munawwar Ahmed Khan (full-backs); Mohammad Baqar, Mohammad Ahmed (half-backs); Jibran Hamza, Abdul Nafay, Mohammad Arsal, Abdul Qayyum, Abdul Wahab and Shahbaz Haider (forwards)

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2022