Islamabad - Pakistan hockey team head coach Shahnaz Sheikh announced Sunday the last phase of national team training camp will start in a day or two due to prevailing situation of the capital. Shahnaz while talking to The Nation said the players were due to report at Pakistan Sports Complex on Sunday noon but I advised them against traveling as situation was not ideal.
“I know we have already well behind others as all the other Asian teams have completed their preparations and had played in a number of high-profile events while on the other hand we have failed to play a single international event for the last 10-months. Our proposed visit to Spain was also called off. Now to cover the loss we are racing against time. I had requested Pakistan Hockey Federation to at least arrange 4-team single league series involving Pakistan Green, Army, Navy and combined team of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. It was earlier decided the matches will start from September3 but now we have reschedule dates. The matches will now be played on Sept 4 and 5 and we will take rest on September 6. Daily two matches will be played, while the final between the top two teams would be held on September 8.” “I had requested PHF to at least made arrangements for team's departure on September 10 to Korea. One week is not enough for defending Asian Games gold but we could gain match practice while playing matches against Korea, Bangladesh and Japan there.
 Both president Akhtar Rasool and secretary Rana Mujahid are in Malaysia to contest Asian Hockey Federation elections. Rana was contesting on vice president slot and Akhtar was vying for executive board and both gentlemen returned unopposed which is a good news for Pakistan hockey. We have tried our best to prepare team in last 4-months and I am quite satisfied with the way my players had responded and now I only hope and pray that our hard work and boys efforts will pay in best possible manner and they will manage to successfully defend their Asian title,” Shahnaz concluded.