KARACHI: The journalists were taken aback when the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) out of a blue announced to skip the much-talked about South Korean trip while short-listing 20 players for the prestigious Champions Trophy.

“Visa and some financial constraints compelled us to do away with the Nov 20-28 build up tour of South Korea,” the PHF secretary Rana Mujahid told newsmen at the end of two-day trials at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium on Thursday.

He regretted that the team will not go to South Korea as Champions Trophy was our priority. “We might rearrange the trip with mutual consent after the Indian assignment,” he added.

Shortlists 20 players for Champions Trophy

The PHF secretary said the camp will continue at the HCP Stadium and the team is due to fly to Bhubaneswar, India, from here on Dec 2 where the event is slated to take place from Dec 6 to 14.

Asked about the PHF and Pakistan hockey team’s scheduled meeting with the prime minister in Islamabad on Nov 19 he said: “It was on”.

Later, selectors chief Islahuddin Siddiqui announced names of 20 players including two absentees – Rashid Mahmood and Rizwan senior – from which 18 will be picked.

Both Rashid and Rizwan, who are due to arrive here on Nov 23 after playing professional league in Holland, will have to prove their fitness in one-day trials that takes place on Nov 26 or 27, he remarked.

The chief selector added that he in consultation with other selectors, chief coach and PHF secretary, imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on Rizwan junior and Rs15,000 on Tassawar Abbas for violating discipline.

Rizwan forget to carry his match shirt to the stadium from games village on the final day while Tassawar did not report in camp on time without informing the camp commandant.

Islah said Rizwan has tendered an apology to the PHF citing it an “unintentional act”.

Team:

Goal keepers: Imran Butt, Amjad Ali.

Backs: Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Irfan, Kashif Shah.

Halves: Ammad Butt, Mohammad Tousiq, Rashid Mahmood, Rizwan junior, Zohaib Ashraf, Tassawar Abbas.

Forwards: Waqas Sharif, Shafqat Rasool, Umer Bhutta, Mohammad Dilber, Rizwan senior, Ali Shan, Arsalan Qadir, Yaqoob Azfar, Rizwan Ali.

Stand byes: Mazhar Abbas (goalkeeper), Mubashir Ali, Atif Mushtaq, (full backs), Abu Bakar (half back), Rana Umair, Nohaiz Zahid Malik, Shan Irshad, Naveed, Mohammad Atiq junior (forwards).

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2014