KUALA LUMPUR – Are the men in green coming?
With the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup starting in less than three weeks, Pakistan’s participation in the invitational men’s hockey tournament is still uncertain.
According to sources from the hockey fraternity, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), which is believed to have two associations within its supervision, is yet to form a team to send for the tournament scheduled to take place in Ipoh from May 4 to 11.
The tournament will see a total of six teams participating: Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea, and defending champions Malaysia.
“Initially, the Speedy Tigers were supposed to play Pakistan on April 2 for a friendly match before the main tournament, but it’s believed that there is still no confirmation from the PHF regarding their participation.
“Currently, Pakistan has two hockey associations in the federation, one in Lahore and one in Karachi, and there’s no guarantee as to which association will be sending its players for the tournament.
“Since the tournament is around the corner, there isn’t much time for the organisers to find a replacement, as Pakistan has shown interest in joining the tournament over the past few months.
“But if things worsen, the organisers will have no choice but to find a replacement for a friendly match for the Speedy Tigers and the tournament,” said the source.
Pakistan, known as the “Flying Greenhorses” by their fans, has made a total of 15 appearances in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and have won the tournament thrice (1999, 2000, and 2003) since its inception in 1983.
Arriving late for tournaments hosted by Malaysia is not something new for Pakistan, as its junior team arrived for the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup in Bukit Jalil last year just a day before the tournament kicked off.
The tournament saw head coach Roelant Oltmans’s charges losing in the quarterfinals against Spain.
Pakistan’s senior team currently ranks 15th in the world with 1775.78 points. – April 15, 2024