LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Monday named 31 probables for the training camp to prepare for the Asian Champions Trophy set for Oman from Oct 18 to 28.

The probables are summoned to report to likely camp commandant Hasan Sardar on Sept 25 as the PHF is yet to announce the team management after the national side head coach Roelant Oltmans stepped down from the post recently.

Sardar, who is also Pakistan’s team manager, is the top contender to fill in the void left by Oltmans and will be assisted by Rehan Butt and Mohammad Saqlain, Dawn has learnt.

The PHF president Brig. (retd.) Sajjad Khokhar has said that the federation was in negotiation with Oltmans, requesting him to stay with the national team till the World Cup which will be held India in December. But it seems, Oltmans is not ready to withdraw his resignation and the PHF will name another head coach before the start of the camp.

BARRY ALSO QUITS

Following Oltmans, trainer Daniel Barry also tendered his resignation to the PHF on Monday.

”Sorry to say, but sadly, I too will be stepping down from my role with the Pakistan Hockey team,” wrote Barry in a letter sent to the PHF.

“The decision was not an easy one to make I assure you. Getting to work alongside you all for the past five months was an absolute pleasure and I enjoyed all of your company over the short journey,” he added.“I wish you all the success and happiness you deserve and encourage you to keep on working hard to fulfill your goals. Please stay in touch and feel free to contact me if wish to do so.”

Probables:

Imran Butt (PIA), Mazhar Abbas (NBP), Amjad Ali (SSGC), Mohammad Irfan Senior (PIA), Rashid Mehmood (Navy), Mohammad Aleem Bilal (Wapda), Ammad Shakeel Butt (NBP), Mubashar Ali (SSGC), Tasawar Abbas (Wapda), Mohammad Rizwan Junior (SSGC), Mohammad Rizwan Senior (Army), Mohammad Toseeq Arshad (Wapda), Ali Shan (SSGC), Mohammad Umar Bhutta (Wapda), Abu Bakar Mahmood (NBP), Shafqat Rasool (PIA), Mohammad Azfar Yaqoob (SSGC), Mohammad Atiq (NBP), Mohammad Arslan Qadir (NBP), Ajaz Ahmad (Wapda), Rana Suhail Riaz (SSGC), Mohammad Irfan Junior (Wapda), Mohammad Dilber (NBP), Mohammad Faisal Qadir (NBP), M. Rizwan (SSGC), Mohammad Atif Mushtaq (NBP), Rizwan Ali (SSGC), Mohammad Zubair (PIA), Saran Bin Qamar (Punjab), Muneeb-ur-Rehman (SSGC), Syed Zeeshan Bukhari (SSGC).

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2018