KARACHI, Feb 15: Two under-17 Pakistan hockey squads are scheduled to leave on Wednesday to participate in a six-a-side tournament in Muscat, Oman.

Surprisingly, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has opted to send a youth squad on a tour abroad for a six-a-side tournament which is a new concept even for the senior side. Neither six-a-side hockey is ever played in Pakistan nor do senior or junior players have firsthand knowledge of the event.

Although a training camp for the under-17s had been set up in Lahore some four or five days ago, PHF never officially announced the camp. Even the names of the probables were not announced through newspapers and PHF, instead of calling through departments, invited players by personally calling at their homes.

Interestingly, PTCL's Rana Zaheer and KESC's Mohammad Farooq have been appointed manager and coach of the Pakistan under-17 squads. But the appointment of the two officials is surprising since both have not attended PHF coaches' course which is a prerequisite for becoming a national team's coach.

The squads that have already been selected, will play against the two sides of Muscat and India. Given the fact that the youngsters going abroad would be playing in such a tournament which is technically insignificant, it would be yet another joy trip for the officials.

PHF has already been under fire from the Senate's Standing Committee on Sports for sending freeloaders on joyrides. PHF is also facing allegations of sending on offshore tours individuals having no connection with hockey.