Pakistan Hockey Federation Secretary, Asif Bajwa has clarified the misconception about the Coach Michel van den Heuvel quitting from his post on Thursday and said that according to an agreement the Dutchman will continue his coaching
with the Pakistani team until the 2012 Olympics in London.
“Heuvel is in constant contact with me and, according to the agreement, he will continue till the 2012 London Olympics,” Bajwa said.
“We have signed a formal agreement with him according to which he will work with the national team till 2012.
Michel van den Heuvel will carry on coaching with Pakistani team”
“Unfortunately, he could not come to Pakistan to join us in the Asian Games victory celebrations because he had already planned to return to his homeland directly from China to see his family,” Bajwa added.
“Heuvel has been asking me about the victory celebrations as the nation and government gave great reception to the national squad on their much-needed win in Guangzhou,” he stated.
He further explained that the appointment of the Dutch coach has really enhanced the performance of the national team, and under his coaching, the team will surely turn out to be the best team in the upcoming hockey events.
Answering questions, Bajwa said that the federation had no plans to dismiss any senior player from the Asian Games winning Squad on the basis of age as it will follow the already set criterion for selection — performance and physical
fitness.
“From the very beginning the PHF had decided to utilise the services of every player until and unless he is fit and performing. And the players’ show in the Guangzhou Asian Games is enough to decide who is fit and performing,”
he remarked.
“At the time of selection, the PHF wants a player to be fit, and it is bound to watch his past and current performances. And this policy of criterion for selection will continue,” he insisted.
The Asian Games success is the result of a brilliant performance of the senior hockey players, Sohail Abbas, Rehan Butt, Salman Akbar, Zeeshan Asharaf and Waseem Ahmed who were willing to quit from their posts before the Asian
Games at Guangzhou. After their golden win they have decided to continue playing for their team until they are fit.
Bajwa said that Pakistan’s victory in the Asiad is memorable as it has reserved a berth for the team in the 2012Olympics.
Bajwa also admitted that the European teams like the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and England besides Olympic champions Australia are reigning in hockey now a days but Pakistan had once dominated these teams as well.
He maintained that Pakistan still has the talent to compete with the toughest opponents in international competitions.
Further talking about his future plans, he explained that the PHF is planning to conduct short-period training camps in patches as long term measure for the junior players of the national team, meanwhile the senior players will
take rest.
“Since the next Azlan Shah Cup [in May] will be the first assignment of the national team, Olympian Khawaja Junaid may be asked to hold short-duration camps for the juniors on long-term basis. This will hone the players’ skills
further besides removing their weaknesses,” he said.
Bajwa also shed light on Heuvel’s consultation of his family about his job
“In Heuvel’s opinion continuing for two years with the national team is a longer span and for such a lengthy stint, his family’s opinion is must,” said Bajwa.
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