Abu Dhabi: Brushing aside funds crunch and roadblocks to their preparation, Pakistan hockey squad are keen to make the most of their appearance in the four-nation tournament which got under way in Australia on Saturday.
“It’s a huge opportunity but also a tough tournament. However, we have prepared well and everyone wants to give their best. The first day’s training went well and the weather is perfect for hockey,” said Imran Butt, the national team goalkeeper.
The green shirts, led by Mohammad Imran, had left with only 50 per cent of their daily allowance for the last month and a cheque for the remaining amount with head coach Shahnaz Shaikh.
In the run-up to the event, the Pakistan team’s training was also hit because of paucity of funds and their camp in Rawalpindi was suspended as Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) couldn’t pay the daily allowances to its players and coaches. Even their counterparts and arch rivals Hockey India came forward to offer financial aid, but PHF turned it down after it evoked strong reactions from a cabinet minister and former players.
Speaking to Gulf News after their first official training in Hobart on Friday, Butt said: “Yes, it was a testing time for Pakistan hockey and there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding this tour but thankfully, all was put to rest and we could resume our training,” said Butt, adding that the priority for the team was the Olympic qualifying tournament in the Netherlands in June which is why the team has included two new faces — Faisal Qaider and Rizwan Ali,
“We came here with the intention to prepare for the 2016 Rio Games qualifiers and if we can do well and win the tournament in the process, it will be huge. There are two young players in the side and it will be a good experience for them. Qaider will bolster the half line while Rizwan will take up the left-out position. The important thing is everyone will get an opportunity to perform as all will be given a run in to prove their worth,” said Butt, who has figured in 85 matches for Pakistan.
Pakistan, ranked 9th in the world, will take on Australia’s World No 1 Kookaburras in the opener with the other two teams in the tournament being New Zealand and South Korea, ranked 7th and 8th, respectively. Australia ‘A’ team are also a part of the tournament.
“It is never easy to play Australia and especially at their own den, they are a hard nut to crack. However, we have all the resources to give them a good fight. The matches against New Zealand and South Korea will also be testing as we have not had much of a success against them in recent times,” revealed Butt.
