Pakistan has an excellent chance of reaching the semi-finals from Pool A.
ISLAMABAD : With time running out for Pakistan to have a competitive team for the Olympics qualifiers, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has requested the Pakistan Sports Board’s (PSB) cooperation and aid in establishing the national training camp here at the Bunda Ground as soon as feasible.
PHF secretary Rana Mujahid informed The News that a request has been issued to PSB Director General Shoaib Khoso to assist in the establishment of a training camp for national seniors in preparation for the Olympic Qualifying round, which will begin in mid-January 2024 in Oman .
Pakistan hockey is facing one of the toughest times as making it to the Paris Olympics is a real challenge for us. We would take all the possible steps and make every effort to raise a team that can beat the best in the tournament. For that vebry reason we want to start the team’s training as early as possible,” secretary PHF said. He also emphasized the urgency of starting the camp at the earliest.
Just less than two months are left before start of the Olympic qualifiers and we have yet to start our preparations. Even two months for such a big event are not enough. We are already late and eager to see the national team’s probables getting on the field for training,” he said.
When it comes to team’s training for the Asian Games or Olympics, the PSB extends all possible support for the purpose. Even though the PHF was suspended, the PSB provided all the financial, boarding and lodging support to the team in training and preparations for the Asian Games held recently in China. Again when it comes to a team’s preparation for the Olympics or Olympics qualifying round, it is the responsibility of the PSB to extend all possible support.
We recently requested that the PSB assist us in establishing the national camp at the Bunda Ground as soon as possible. When it comes to team training and preparation, the PSB has always been helpful. “We’re hoping to get their approval as soon as possible,” Mujahid said.
Pakistan has a good chance of reaching the semi-finals from Pool A, which also includes the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and China. Germany, New Zealand, Canada, and Chile are among the countries represented in Pool B in Oman. The top three teams from the Oman leg will compete in the Paris Olympics. Even if Pakistan loses in the semi-finals, they will still have a chance to compete in the Olympics in Paris if they finish third.