PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa optimistic about future of junior line-up – Hockey Update
Hockey, the national sport of Pakistan is currently going through a tough phase. However, the officials of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) are quite optimistic about the future of the junior hockey team as they recently won a series against Egypt’s
senior squad, which is quite a positive sign.
PHF Secretary Asif Bajwa was of the opinion that that junior line-up was the future of Pakistan hockey which would fill the gap of senior names.
He clarified that they were not looking the junior squad as a winning replacement. However, it will be prepared for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. He stated, “We are not claiming that this team has turned into a winning combination but we are supporting
our claims of grooming this team for next year’s World Cup qualifying round and the team’s preparations is being done in the right direction.”
The Secretary was of the view that the federation was putting all efforts to improve the game of the fresh talent in order to make them a victorious combination for the future contests. They were not making big promises at the point that the junior line-up
will lift the World cup title. However, they will deliver far better results, he added.
Neglecting the wrong impression, he said that the junior line-up had not faced B grade Egyptian team in the just-concluded tourney. He clarified the wrong insight saying that the junior Greenshirts played against senior team of Egypt which is going to contest
the African Cup.
In the recent situation, no one can predict about any team, as weaker sides make upsets against the top teams.
The PHF Secretary underscored that no foreign team is ready to come to Pakistan for playing hockey. Therefore, the federation has no choice except sending the team to avail every playing chance.
Asif Bajwa commented on the situation saying that there were no planning was made in the previous eras to prepare youngster line-up as a backup force, which left severe results in the sport. However, he stated that the existing federation took major steps
to brush up a back-up junior team which is being picked up from different academies across the country.
Applauding the role of management of the junior team, the secretary stated that Chief Coach and Manager Rana Mujahid played a vital role in preparing the junior line-up. In the concluding remarks, the Secretary informed that they will organize more games
for the junior side ahead of the Junior World Cup Qualifiers.
It will be interesting to see how the junior side can carry their winning momentum forward in to their future match-ups.
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