Karachi, Oct 27 : Pakistan is all set to rebuild its national hockey team after the Asian Games due next month, regardless of how the players perform in the quadrennial spectacle to be held at Guangzhou in China.
“We will begin a comprehensive rebuilding process immediately after the Asian Games,” The News quoted Pakistan’s chief selector Hanif Khan as saying.
“We will have 18 months to prepare our team for the Olympics and will want to just persist with young players,” he added.
The idea is to raise a young and strong team for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, which he said was Pakistan’s long-term target.
Hanif disclosed that players like Pakistan captain Zeeshan Ashraf and former skippers Rehan Butt, Waseem Ahmed, Shakeel Abbasi and Salman Akber would have to go even if Pakistan win the Asian Games title.
“Regardless of how the team performs in the Asian Games, we will rebuild it for the 2012 Olympic Games. The senior players, who are already 30 or older than that, will be replaced by youngsters,” he maintained.
Pakistan are hoping to clinch the gold in Guangzhou not just because they want to regain the Asian Games crown, but also because it will give them a direct spot for the London Olympics.
“We have to win the Asian Games at all costs,” said Hanif, a former Olympian, adding, “It will help us qualify for the Olympics and give us 18 months to prepare our boys for the London Games.” (ANI)
Similar
- Ex-selectors backing Pak against SA in ‘home-like’ UAE conditions
- PCB may sue Brit paper for ‘baseless’ claims against players following ICC ‘all clear’
- PCB was warned about shady players well in advance: Tauqir Zia
- Spot-fixing case: Suspended Pak opener Butt hires ex-law minister to clear his name
- Sohail Abbas hoping for a successful comeback
US News
- Sun Pharma Gets FDA Nod To Sell Nasal Spray Astelin In US Market
- Bharti Airtel Gets Hold Of 49% Stake In Qualcomm India broadband
- Facebook IPO issue must be reviewed, says U.S. financial regulators
- Brooklyn to investigate witness intimidation in abuse cases
- Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy's & Aurobindo Get USFDA Authorization To Market Generic Cardiac Drug
Belgrade, May 29 : Serbian midfielder Adem Ljajic has been suspended from the national team for refusing to sing the national anthem before his country's friendly against Spain, the Serbian Football Federation announced. 
Rome, May 28 : The captain of the Italian football club Lazio has been arrested amid investigations in connection to match-fixing scandal. 
London, May 28 : Former England cricketer Adam Hollioake has revealed that his friends and family were surprised when he chose the gentleman's game over rugby and boxing as his profession. 
Islamabad, May 28 : Pakistan cricketer Wajahatullah Wasti has said the Twenty20 format has caused a lot of damage to the techniques of opening batsmen. 
Sydney, May 18 : Australian professional motorcycle racer, two-time MotoGP world champion, Casey Stoner, announced that he will retire from Grand Prix racing at the 
Pune, April 30 - Veer Patel of Baroda steered his Honda CRF 250 with much panache to clinch the title in the showpiece Foreign Open class ahead of defending champion Aravind KP in the 2012 National Supercross championship here.