KARACHI, Oct 31: Pakistan hockey team will begin final phase of training on Wednesday at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium to prepare for the 2006 Asian Games.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Akhtar-ul-Islam said on Tuesday that 37 players were invited to attend the training camp which would continue till departure of the squad to Doha later this month.

Doha will host the Asian Games from December 1 to 15.

Akhtar said Pakistan coach Shahnaz Sheikh would arrive in the city from Jeddah on Tuesday night. He would be assisted by former Olympian Nasir Ali in the camp.

The secretary pointed out that the PHF would select a 16-member squad and a new captain for the Games.

Pakistan's regular captain Mohammad Saqlain would not be considered for selection in the Asian Games squad as he missed first phase of the camp in Islamabad to play professional hockey abroad.

Akhtar said that he would have a meeting later this week with coach Shahnaz Sheikh and chief selector Khalid Mehmood to discuss the captaincy issue.

—PPI