KARACHI, Feb 20: A line-up of four inexperienced coaches will be present at the junior hockey training camp which starts from Saturday as Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) opted to rely on quantity instead of quality.
The camp is being set up at Hockey Club of Pakistan (HCP) for the two series against The Netherlands and Malaysia next month. Pakistan Juniors are scheduled to play four-match series against the Dutch with matches on March 3, 4, 6 and 7 at HCP. Pakistan meet the Malaysians in the second series on March 10, 11, 13 and 14.
The two series will serve as build-up to the 10-nation Asia Cup to be hosted by Karachi at the same venue from April 20. The event has gained more significance since it will also be the Asian qualifying round for next year's Junior World Cup in The Netherlands. Top three outfits will qualify for the competition in the Netherlands.
The number of coaches for the junior side, which needs more experienced and competent coaches, is surprising and in contrast to what the Seniors have. Coach Asif Bajwa will be assisted by Jan Mohammad, and Ikhlaq Ahmad, who mostly played as a reserve for the national side.
Shahid Ali Khan, who was sacked as the senior team goalkeeping coach after last year's Amstelveen Champions Trophy, will be the fourth coach for the juniors.
Pakistan Seniors are currently being coached by a foreigner, Dutch Roelant Oltmans, who has sweeping powers and complete control over selection and training.
Newly-appointed team manager Jahangir Butt said on Friday 37 or 38 probables would report for the camp. However, PHF, in its earlier official announcement, stated 34 probables would report.
"According to the list provided by the PHF, there will be 37 or 38 players at the camp. I think the PHF added some three or four boys in the camp after announcing the names of the probables," he said.
It is interesting to note that senior team forward Shakeel Abbasi was also among the list of 34 released earlier. But since he was also invited for the senior camp, he would be touring Madrid for the Olympic qualifiers.
Jahangir, who was removed as senior team coach after Adelaide Champions Trophy fiasco in 1997, however, was optimistic that Shakeel would join the junior camp on his return from national duty in Spain.
"There is no harm in having a senior team player in the junior side. It has happened in the past also," said Jahangir, whose last assignment was the managership during the 2000 Junior Asia Cup qualifying round in Kuala Lumpur where Pakistan finished a disappointing fifth.
The manager said he was not aware whether Shakeel was eligible to play for the junior team. "I have just taken over, but I think PHF must have ensured that Shakeel is not over-age." Shakeel has never played for Pakistan junior side. It will be the first time he will play as a junior team member if selected for the Junior Asia Cup.