Pakistan names show-caused players in National Team for Azlan Shah Cup
Following lot of clamour, the suspected trio of Pakistan hockey team has been chosen in the national squad for the forthcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament commencing from May 05, 2011 in Malaysian city of Ipoh.
The trio, Rehan Butt, Shakeel Abbasi and Wasim Ahmed, set their places in the team after they cleared by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) that they were not associated with the Indian rebel league.
It is vital to mention here that the federation served notices to these players, who, according to some media reports, entered into contracts with the unofficial well-paid World Series Hockey (WSH). However, the senior players have clarified their status
and resultantly got selected in the squad.
Shakeel Abbasi, one of the three show-caused players, has been named as the vice-captain of the squad for the upcoming event. In reality, the three players are the backbone of the Greenshirts who made the gold medal possible in the Asian Games after the
two decades.
Asif Bajwa, the Secretary of the PHF, while talking to the media said that the three players had been named in the squad after they assured their dissociation with the money-spinning Indian rebel league.
He stated, “All the three players have informed us in writing that they were unaware that WSH is an unsanctioned league. The players have assured us that they will not associate themselves with the league after which the selectors were told by the PHF that
they have been cleared for national duty”
On the other hand, Muhammad Imran has been selected as captain of the national squad that is going to play the Malaysia-based event. He was chosen for this post after former skipper, Zeeshan Ashraf, decided not to take part in the tournament in order to
facilitate the youngsters.
Bajwa was of the opinion that they wanted to continue the policies without interruption, therefore, they opted for Muhammad Imran who was serving as a vice-captain of the team.
In the meantime, Qasim Zia, the president of the PHF expressed pleasure that the senior players preferred the national duty over the unofficial Indian league. It was a great mark that the senior and experiences players gave great significance with the national
team, he added. He also expressed satisfaction over the Dutch Coach, Michel van den Heuvel, saying that the federation had decided to continue his services till the 2012 London Olympics.
The PHF President was of the view that the players have been improved their game under the training of Michel van den Heuvel. He also anticipated positive results for the upcoming 2012 London Olympic Games saying that the federation would take all possible
steps to regain the past glory of the sport. The PHF is putting its efforts to introduce Blue-Turfs in the country in order to train the players ahead of the Olympics.
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