LAHORE, Feb 8: Pakistan hockey coach Roelant Oltmans said on Sunday only he would finalize the 18-member squad for the Olympic qualifying round on Feb 18. "Every training session is a trial and team management is watching the performance of the players regularly," coach said when pointed out previously selection committee finalized the team after trials.

The Dutchman refrained from giving comments when pointed out that not a single selector was watching the sessions. The probables are training for next month's Olympic qualifiers in Madrid.

Oltmans said he did not face any resistance from Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for inducting Mohammad Sarwar in the camp. "I do not know what happened seven months ago. I called up Sarwar and found him physically fit. He is doing well in the camp," he said.

Sarwar was discarded by national selectors saying he had gone down the hill. He was forced to quit by PHF after trials for August's Champions Trophy. PHF was bitterly criticized by Sarwar after being forced to announce the retirement.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Saqlain and Zeeshan Ashraf did not participate in the sessions today. Saqlain is suffering from flu, while Zeeshan had to attend his uncle's funeral.

Opinion

Editorial

Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...
Doctor attacked
09 Jun, 2026

Doctor attacked

AN act of reprehensible violence has shaken the medical community. On Saturday, an employee of the Provincial Civil...
AJK flare-up
Updated 09 Jun, 2026

AJK flare-up

The situation started deteriorating after a trader affiliated with the JAAC was reportedly shot in an altercation with law-enforcers.
Fault lines
09 Jun, 2026

Fault lines

THE April 8 ceasefire that halted hostilities between Israel and Iran has encountered its most serious test yet....