PHF calls former Olympians to assist the Green-shirts in their Olympic preparations
Seeking some useful advice and constructive proposals to fine-tune the skills of the Green-shirts, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) summoned a meeting, inviting former Olympians at the National Hockey Stadium, in Lahore, on November 28.
The federation called in the nation’s former greats to sit together and formulate a strategy to lead the national squad to victory in the upcoming mega event.
After clinching the victory in the Asian Games, Pakistan qualified for the Olympics’ gala, set to be held from July 27 to August 12, 2012.
PHF President, Qasim Zia, expressed hopes for fruitful outcomes in the meeting, saying that the players required the assistance of the former Olympians.
He explained, “We’ll discuss our preparations and plans for the Olympics in the meeting. I value all the former players’ opinions as they’ve gone through this phase as well. This kind of thing is not new to the PHF. Olympians might have a lot to contribute
to the team’s planning”.
He also went on to say that the team will surely display fantastic games and will finish the forthcoming Champions Trophy among the top four positions. The tournament will be played from December 3 to 11, in Auckland, New Zealand.
PHF Secretary, Asif Bajwa, is convinced that the upcoming meeting with the former Olympians will help the national team in improving their capabilities.
He stated, “Our doors are always open for any kind of helpful suggestion. Maybe we can all sit together and reach a common consensus and evolve a suitable strategy before next year’s London Olympics”.
Bajwa was of the opinion that the former legends are national heroes and can surely contribute to the national game by enhancing its level with their knowledge and experience.
The PHF Secretary, who himself is a former Olympian, asked the former greats to answer optimistically in the best interests of the game.
The former players, putting aside their personal differences, should help the federation to flourish the sport, he added.
Bajwa rejected the impression that the meeting was being summoned to efface the criticism from the former Olympians and players if the team fails to deliver in the London Games.
He anticipated that a large number of former greats are expected to attend the moot. It will be a great chance for them to serve the country once again in a positive way, he continued.
He believes that the critics will point-out weak areas in a much better way and provide guidance on areas that have not been improved thus far.
The federation’s secretary maintained that the national game is moving towards the glory that it had in the past.
The PHF will not only openly hear the ideas of the former players but will also forward them towards the trainers.
Shahid Ali Khan, Shahnaz Sheikh, Khawaja Junaid, Islahuddin Siddiqui, Samiullah Khan, Manzoor-ul-Hassan, Waseem Ahmed, Hassan Sardar, Mansoor Ahmed, Mohamamd Shahbaz Junior and Rana Mujahid Ali are among a number of former Olympians who have been called
for the strategic planning sitting.
Without any doubt, such a measure will help the national team players in fine-tuning their skills ahead of the Olympics.
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