Pakistan hockey team awaits NOC for Asian Champions Trophy

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan hockey team is awaiting the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Government of Pakistan to confirm their participation in the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in the Indian city Chennai.

The team has already made arrangements, having scheduled their flight for July 31, in anticipation of the prestigious tournament commencing on August 3 in Chennai.

According to the sources, the team has already made preparations, having scheduled their flight for July 31, in anticipation of the tournament commencing on August 3 in Chennai.

The sources said that the Pakistani team has successfully secured Indian visas, and the Interior Ministry has duly issued the NOC, ensuring their eligibility to participate.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not yet issued the NOC, leaving the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) concerned about the participation.

As per the sources, the officials from the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination have assured the PHF that they will promptly notify the federation once the NOC is granted.

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The PHF is on edge, awaiting official confirmation of their participation as Thursday marks the last working day before the Muharram holidays.

Earlier, Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh was likely to take on the role of head coach for Pakistan’s senior hockey team in the Asian Champions Trophy, with fellow Olympian Rehan butt as the assistant coach, the media reports said.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan senior hockey team has been engaging in practice matches at their training camp in Lahore. They secured a striking 4-0 victory against the combined team of Dar Academy and Rana Zaheer Academy, both of which are famed as the strongest hockey teams and nurseries in the country.

Squad

Muhammad Umar Bhatta (c), Akmal Hussain, Abdullah Ishtiaq Khan, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Sufyan Khan, Ehtsham Aslam, Osama Bashir, Aqeel Ahmed, Arshad Liaquat, Muhammad Imad, Abdul Hanan Shahid, Zakaria Hayat, Rana Abdul Waheed Ashraf (Vice Captain), Roman, Muhammad Murtaza Yaqoob, Muhammad Shahzaib Khan, Afraz, Abdul Rahman, while the standby includes Ali Raza, Muhammad Baqir, Muhammad Nadeem Khan, Abdul Wahab, Waqar Ali, Muhammad Arsalan and Abdul Qayyum.

Pakistan’s schedule

August 3 — vs Malaysia

August 4 — vs Korea

August 6 — vs Japan

August 7 — vs China

August 9 — vs India