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28-07 Pakistan training camp in the Netherlands

2010-07-28 21:07:00

Pakistan hockey team will undergo 20-day training camp in Holland starting from September 1 for its build-up for Commonwealth and Asian Games.

“The team will have most modern training under the supervision of specialised foreign coaches to give final touches to its preparations for the two elite events,” Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Muhammad Asif Bajwa said on Monday.

Commonwealth Games will be held in October in India followed by Asian Games in November in China. Bajwa said it is not just a training camp as the team will be playing practice matches against teams like Germany, Belgium and Poland.

“We will play two matches each against Germany and Belgium and similar number of games against two top Dutch clubs,” he added. He said the prime objective of this camp is to prepare the team in all aspects of the game for these two events which are quite challenging.

PHF secretary said Pakistan team will start its preparations for Commonwealth Games by attending a camp at Abbottabad from August 12 to 26 under the watchful eyes of Dutch coach Michel Van Den Heuvel.

“The cooler atmosphere of hill station Abbottabad will help in avoiding scorching heat and humid conditions and players can work out and practice for gaining fitness and form,” he said. Bajwa said after conclusion of the camp the team will fly to Holland where it will train and play practice matches before returning home to fly India for the Games. He expressed the optimism that such level of training will help the players to maintain a good level of fitness and form to achieve desired results in the Games. “I don’t want to make tall claims but I am confident of team’s fine show in Commonwealth Games,” he said. The PHF official said all the team members of have been barred to take part in any national level tournament till the Asian Games and the step has been taken to avoid the factor of fatigue. He said after returning from India the team will have a week long rest then resuming its preparations for Asian Games at a camp to be organised at Lahore.

Daily Times