LAHORE, June 2: Pakistan women hockey team left for Malaysia on Friday to take part in the first Women Hockey Qualifier tournament for the Asian Games starting next week.

Talking to newsmen before departure at National Hockey Stadium, Lahore, team's skipper Razia Malik was confident that her team would perform well in the competition.

“We are fully prepared for this event, our coach Nasir Ali and the federation has given us all the opportunities to learn hockey and we are confident to qualify in the Asian Games and create history in the Pakistan women hockey,” she said.

The Women Asian Games Hockey Qualifier is due to start from June 5 to 11 at the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Iran and host Malaysia besides Pakistan are competing in the competition in which the top four teams will qualify for the Asian Games.

The 24-member Pakistan contingent that left for the weeklong contest includes six officials besides 18 players.

Team:

Razia Malik (captain), Saman Rashid, Linn Afroz, Aqeela Naseem, Nadia, Sanam Yousuf, Amna Mir, Saima Afzal, Asia Sadiq, Rabia Qadir, Uzma Lal, Amna Awan, Azra Nasir, Neelama Hassan, Benish Hayat Shumaila Hafeez, Sonia Khan Officials: Barrister Shahida Jamil (Chef de mission), Parveen Sikandar Gill (Chief Manager & Deputy Clief-De-Mission), Ghazala Tariq (Assistant Manager), Nasir Ali (Chief Coach), Zaib-un- Nisa (Assistant Coach), Huma Imtiaz (Physiotherapist), Shaista Javed (Judge) Razia Rizvi (Umpire).

Schedule:

June 5: Chinese Taipei vs. Hong Kong, Iran vs. Pakistan

June 6: Pakistan vs. Malaysia, Hong Kong vs. Iran

June 7: Rest Day

June 8: Chinese Taipei vs. Malaysia, Hong Kong vs. Pakistan

June 9: Chinese Taipei vs. Pakistan, Iran vs. Malaysia

June 10: Rest day

June 11: Chinese Taipei vs. Iran.—APP