Pakistan training camp in Karachi begins tomorrow

KARACHI: Pakistan hockey team’s second phase of training will start from Sunday (tomorrow) in Karachi at Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium.All 30 probable players will report on May 19. The fitness camp organised in Abbottabad concluded on May 15. Team manager Hasan Sardar informed ‘The News’ that now the training camp would focus on improving the hockey skills keeping in mind the requirement of Champions Trophy in Holland next month.He said that players improved a lot at the fitness camp. They would improve further by following the programme given by their trainer Daniel Barry.He said that Pakistan players still did not have control on their own game. “Their fighting spirit has been boosted, their confidence is restored but a lot of work still needs to be done to ensure that they are able to withstand pressure of big matches such as semi-finals and finals of big events,” he said.“Pakistan cannot be compared to any other team in Champions Trophy, because they are all top-ranked teams. We are 13th in the world. They are superior to us and more experienced but our players will learn a lot by playing against them. We will give them tough time as we did in Commonwealth Games.“The forwards are still missing chances. They create moves and get penalty corners but fail to convert them. The coaching of Roelant Oltmans will minimise their mistakes and improve their ability to strike when there is a chance.“We will try different strategies to see what suits our team. It is our last opportunity before Asian Games which are to be held in August,” said Sardar. “We will also try to improve the skills of Imran Butt. He has been doing well, but there is need for further improvement.“Penalty corner is our most important weapon. We have good executers in direct flick as well as indirect method. We are working with Mubashar and Aleem Bilal for direct flick and Irfan and Tausiq for indirect approach,” he added.“The PHF has arranged GPS technology for our players which will be used in Holland as it will be purchased from there before the Champions Trophy. The technology will help the team management take decisions on the spot,” he said.

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