ZCZC
BSP-11
HOCKEY-ASIA CUP-CAMP
Camp for Junior Asia Cup Hockey likely to begin next month
DHAKA, Aug 28, 2020 (BSS)- The U-21 national hockey team’s training camp for the Bangabandhu Men’s Junior Asia Cup Hockey will likely begin in September.
Bangladesh hockey’s chief coach Mamunur Rashid talking to BSS today informed that “As far as I know the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) is planning to arrange a camp with all the selected players next month ….. but i don’t know the exact date of starting the camp.”
He said some players are doing their individual training and some players are undergoing physical fitness under the supervision of Bangladesh Air Force.
Last year the camp was started under my supervision with thirty six players. After some days the camp was halted several times due to local competitions and finally it was not possible to resume the camp due to COVID-19 pandemic, Rashid added.
Twelve to fourteen out of thirty six players earlier called for the camp, are now undergoing physical fitness training under the supervision of Bangladesh Air Force.
The rest hockey players, as they are service holders, are doing individual training where they are currently staying at.
The BHF will host the Bangabandhu Men’s Junior Asia Cup Hockey scheduled to be held on 21-30 January next at Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium, After the Asian Hockey Federation confirmed the date of the tournament.
The Men’s Junior Asia Cup was originally scheduled to take place in Dhaka on June 4-14 this year with the participation of ten countries, but the Asian AHF postponed the tournament in March due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The ten countries are Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, India, Oman, Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia, Pakistan and host Bangladesh.
Among the ten countries top six teams – Bangladesh, India, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea and Malaysia — of last tournament will directly play this year’s tournament while remaining four teams — China, Chinese Taipei , Oman and Uzbekistan – have come after participating in the selection round held in Oman last year.
The top three countries of the Junior Asia Cup will qualify for the next edition of Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup.
Earlier, the AHF also confirmed the date of the sixth edition of Men’s Asian Champions Trophy Hockey scheduled to be held from March 11-19 next year.
The Men’s Asian Champions Trophy was scheduled to be held from November 17-27 this year, but the Asian AHF postponed the tournament in March due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Apart from hosts Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Korea and Japan will take part in the tournament.
BSS/SG/AU/17:45 hrs