LAHORE: The Pakistan squad on Tuesday left for Kakamigahara, Japan to participate in the U-18 Asia Cup scheduled to be held there from May 29 to June 6.

Talking to Dawn before the team’s departure, Pakistan captain Asam Haider said that the Green-shirts were well prepared for the nine-team event after attending a month-long training camp in Islamabad.

Asam, who belongs to Kot Radha Kishan, a little-known Punjab town, said leading Pakistan in such a big event was a pride for him.

“Dar Hockey Academy in Lahore gave me the opportunity to emerge from a small town and get free coaching facilities [at the academy],” Asam said, adding that vice-captain Hassan Akbar and two other players — Abdullah Awan (Fort Abbas, district Bahawalnagar) and Mohammad Usman (Sangla Hill, district Nankana Sahib) of the national U-18 team — came from the Dar Hockey Academy.

Pakistan are in Group ‘B’ of the U-18 Asia Cup along with China, Malaysia and Bangladesh. Group ‘A’ comprises India, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei and hosts Japan.

“My players are well prepared for the event. I hope Pakistan will qualify for the semi-finals, which is our first target,” the captain said.

While thanking the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for increasing the U-18 players’ daily allowance recently, Asam said the PHF decision would keep the players motivated for the mega event.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2026