LAHORE, May 12: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will launch preparation for the next year’s World Cup by holding a camp for probables from May 25 in Abbottabad.

“We will start preparing our side for the grand event and in this regard first phase of the training kicks off in a hill station like Abbottabad to avoid scorching heat to help players fully focus on training,” said PHF secretary Asif Bajwa on Sunday.

He said the PHF will ensure every step to impart best possible training to the probables home and abroad to help the team live up to expectations in the World Cup scheduled to be held in August 2014 in Holland.

He also dispelled the impression that the PHF has delayed team preparation for the World Cup.

“In fact, our preparations have already started since around 21 senior and junior players are engaged in competitive hockey abroad,” claimed the PHF secretary while saying: “Our eleven players are playing league in Malaysia, two in Holland and eight junior players are part of the junior team which will soon be on a tour of Europe.”

Bajwa further said that except for Holland hosting the World Cup no other team have qualified for the mega event as yet.“At this stage what is important for us is to groom the team to qualify for the World Cup,” he said adding: “World League (Asian round) will take place in Malaysia next month and our prime aim is to unveil a balanced combination to qualify for the World Cup.” Three top teams of the World League will qualify from Asia.

“Our immediate task is tough as all the leading sides from Asia will compete to finish among top three and we will be seeking to properly combine experienced and young players,” expounded Bajwa.

He said the PHF will soon announce names of players to attend the training camp at Abbottabad.

“We will unfold an ambitious preparatory programme for our team and it is a good omen that our 21 players are engaged in international hockey and by that way they are adding to their experience besides making themselves available for the selection,” he remarked.—APP