Whenever Michel would need the services of a trainer and analyst, they would be provided to him, said Qasim Zia.—File photo

LAHORE Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will hire foreign staff to coordinate with the Dutch national team coach Michel van den Heuvel on a time-to-time basis, said PHF President Qasim Zia at the National Hockey Stadium here on Saturday.

He was speaking after the conclusion of the match between Pakistan Whites and the Junior team at the stadium. Qasim said that whenever Michel would need the services of a trainer and analyst, they would be provided to him for a specific period in order to assess the progress of the players.

Qasim also added that the PHF had decided to send the Junior team to Malaysia to earn a new kind of experience by playing an indoor tournament, being held there from July 6.
 
Qasim informed that the PHF initially wanted to send the Juniors to Europe but they had to make alternative plans due to the visa problem faced by the team.

He said following the experience of featuring a team in an indoor stadium, Pakistan would also take steps to promote this type of hockey in the country.

Meanwhile, the Whites team defeated the Juniors 4-2 in their second practice match.

The first one was won 3-1 by the Juniors. Zeeshan, Khalid Bhatti, Azlan Khan and Kashif Ali scored one goal each for Whites while Umair and Adnan scored one apiece for the Juniors.

The match was followed by the announcing of the team for the Malaysian event, to be held at Ipoh, from July 6 to 11.

Squad Syed Kashif Shah (captain), Mazhar Abbas, Zubair Ahmad, Mohammad Sultan Amir, Mohammad Umair, Ali Shan, Mohammad Usman Aslam, Mohammad Adnan, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Sohaib, Mohammad Arslan Qadir and Mohammad Suleman.

Officials Khawaja Mohammad Junaid (manager/coach), Danish Kaleem and Anjum Saeed (assistant coaches) and Dr Asad Abbas (team doctor).