The stage is prepared for an action-packed Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup in Malaysia this May, and the Pakistan squad is poised to bring their A-game. Under the leadership of Ammad Shakeel Butt, the 18-member squad is prepared to exhibit their skills in the upcoming tournament.
The announcement of the squad was made by head coach Roelant Oltmans, who has been given full authority to make decisions concerning the selection of the national team. While the fate of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) remains uncertain, immediate steps have been taken by Prime Minister Advisor on Youth Affairs, Rana Mashhood. Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans, in collaboration with the Deputy Director General Pakistan Sports Board Shahid ul Islam and representative of Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Manzoor ul Hassan, have diligently finalized the squad in line with the given mandate.
Trials were conducted at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad, with a total of 44 players, including ten participants from the Karachi camp, vying for a place in the squad. Ultimately, Ammad Shakeel Butt was appointed as the captain of the national hockey team, with Abu Bakar serving as the vice-captain. Additionally, seven reserve players have been included in the Pakistan squad to ensure a strong and well-prepared team.
Joining Ammad Shakeel Butt and Abu Bakar in the squad are Abdullah, Muneebur Rehman, Osama Bashir, Ehtsham, M Abdullah, Sufyan, Salman Razzak, Arshad Liaquat, Moin Shakeel, Zakaria Hayat, Murtaza Yaqoob, Ghazanfar Ali, Abdul Rehman Senior, Hunain Shahid, Rana Waheed, and Ijaz Ahmed, all of whom are ready to give their best on the field.
In a media statement, Roelant Oltmans expressed confidence in the team, stating that he has meticulously formed a strong squad based on the current talent available. Emphasizing that their primary target is the Nations Hockey Cup, he mentioned the possibility of making changes to the squad following the Azlan Shah Cup. Oltmans further stressed the team’s focus on preparing and nurturing talent for future events, highlighting the need for a top-notch team to emerge victorious.
The final trials session, witnessed by PHF President Tariq Hussain Bugti, Secretary Rana Mujahid, and a number of former international hockey players, served as a testament to the dedication and hard work put in by both the coaching staff and the players.
With the stage set and the squad finalized, all eyes are on the upcoming Azlan Shah Hockey Cup, as Pakistan’s finest talents gear up to make their mark on the international stage. The anticipation is palpable, and fans eagerly await the thrilling matches that are sure to unfold in the tournament.