Pakistan Hockey Coach Michel van den Heuvel returns to resume duty till 2012 London Olympics
It looks like the head coach of Pakistan Hockey, Michel van den Heuvel has recently returned to the country to resume his coaching commitments to the team and the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) until the 2012 London Olympics.
The PHF was not sure if Michel was returning to Pakistan as he had some serious concerns regarding the security situation in the country. However, it seems that he has returned and will train the team for the upcoming Olympics.
Michel is to meet with the President of the PHF, Qasim Zia on February 4. It is believed that a revision in his contract was done to ensure his stay in Pakistan for an extended period.
Heuvel will supervise the coaching clinic which is held under the PHF development programme. The clinic will take place on February 5-10 at the Faisalabad Hockey Stadium. This clinic will give coaches some new techniques and methods for training players
and teams.
During the 58th National Championships, the coach will observe the performance of the younger players on the field.
The PHF Secretary, Asif Bajwa told the media that the Dutch coach had a five-month contract with the PHF before. Later on, he was given the chance to revise his contract with the federation. Hence, now he has been booked with the Greenshirts until the 2012
London Olympics.
Bajwa further stated that apart from coaching the National squad, Michel will also be working upon the development and betterment of the domestic hockey structure residing in Pakistan.
In addition to the coaching, the Holland native has also taken the authority to select the national team players that will be sent to play in the 2012 London Olympics.
PHF expressed great relief on the return of the head coach and under no circumstances wanted to lose the hero who helped in bringing the 2010 Asian Games Champions Title to Pakistan after a long 20 year wait.
The 58th National Hockey Championship is to continue on February 4, after a one-day break at the Faisalabad Hockey Stadium. Four matches scheduled for the day are Southern Sui Gas Company (SSGC) vs Port Qasim Authority (PQA), HBL vs Pakistan Steel
Mills, PIA vs WAPDA and Pakistan Army vs NBP.
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