Pakistan hockey coach eyes fresh talent

Pakistan’s promising hockey players will be desperately looking to prove their mettle before the national selectors as the 4th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) All Pakistan Hockey Tournament 2025 got underway at the National Hockey Stadium on Thursday.

Pakistan hockey team faces a packed international calendar in the coming months. The squad is set to debut in the FIH Pro League where they will play 16 matches, two each, both home and away, against eight of the world’s top teams in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, and London.

By early March Pakistan will also compete for a coveted spot in the next Hockey World Cup which is scheduled to be jointly hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium.

Pakistan head coach Tahir Zaman is looking to discover fresh talent during the national eight-team tournament, which serves as a crucial part of the selection process.

“Our upcoming commitments include a best-of-three series against Bangladesh, which is part of the pre-World Cup qualifier round. This series will be played either in October or early November. Through this tournament, we get an opportunity to assess our talent pool,” Tahir Zaman told Nukta in an exclusive chat at the National Hockey Stadium Lahore.

“We will observe some of the previously identified boys, evaluate their physical fitness, and also scout for new, young talent. Ultimately, we aim to invite promising players to our national training camp. As I mentioned, the timing of this tournament is ideal,” Tahir said.

He further emphasized the role of domestic competitions in strengthening the foundation of Pakistan hockey.

“Such domestic tournaments are essential. Unless we strengthen our domestic hockey structure, we will not be able to elevate our level of play to match international standards. Without this, forming a competitive national team becomes a serious challenge. So again, we are very thankful to Pakistan Navy for organising this event,” said Tahir, also a former Olympian.

The coaching staff is scouting for talent across all positions.

“From goalkeeping to deep defence, midfield, and forward line, we are seeking talented players in every position. Our goal is to create a balanced combination of experience and youth. We want experienced players who can guide the younger ones and help maintain the pace of the game,” he said.

Midfield, in particular, is under close scrutiny.

“Particularly in the midfield, which is the backbone of hockey, we are keen to identify strong performers. This is a key focus area for us. Historically, Pakistan’s best performances have often come through solid midfield play. In the forward line, because of our skill-based style of hockey, we often find players with good ball control and goal-scoring abilities. But midfielders need to be playmakers and game planners, so that's where our scouting emphasis will be,” Tahir said.

He also highlighted the importance of developing defenders with specialist skills.

“Additionally, in deep defence, we are looking for players with strong flicking skills who can be trained further and potentially become part of the national setup,” he was quick to add.

Looking ahead, the schedule for the Pro League and World Cup qualifiers offers Pakistan valuable preparation time.

“Looking ahead, the debut of the Pakistan Pro League in December, followed by legs in February and June in London, Australia, and Argentina, is significant. We will begin the first leg in December and the World Cup qualifiers are at the end of February. This schedule provides us with a great opportunity to prepare for the World Cup by playing against top international teams,” Tahir said.

“Our participation in the Pro League changes our competitive calendar significantly. Playing 16 matches against the top eight teams in the world offers invaluable experience. While it’s a busy and slightly hectic schedule, it is exactly what Pakistan hockey needed a platform where we regularly compete at the highest level,” he said.

Tahir remains optimistic about the team’s future.

“Our boys have immense potential and talent. To improve game intelligence and match temperament, it’s crucial to compete with the best. The Pro League gives us that opportunity. With continuous participation, I am confident that within two to three editions, Pakistan will again be counted among the top teams in the world,” Tahir added.

“There are seven qualification slots available for the World Cup and I am hopeful that Pakistan will secure one. Our immediate focus is on the best-of-three series against Bangladesh. If our preparation goes as planned and we can provide the boys with the right kind of training, I am confident we will qualify for the World Cup,” Tahir hoped.

The coaching team is planning a structured approach to training after the CNS tournament.

“We plan to start our national training camp in mid-October after this tournament. The camp will be held in two phases. We do not want it to be excessively long to avoid overtraining. Once we feel the players need a break, we will give them time for recovery and then resume training. It’s important that the camp remains productive and doesn’t become counterproductive due to fatigue,” Tahir signed off.

The CNS tournament features eight teams divided into two groups. Group A includes Customs, Navy, NBP, and Port Qasim Authority. Group B comprises Army, PAF, Rangers, and Mari Energies.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for October 2, while the final and third-place match will be held on October 4.

The event was formally inaugurated by Rear Admiral Sohail Ahmad Azmie, Commander Central Punjab of the Pakistan Navy, who hit the ball during a graceful opening ceremony. The event was attended by a number of former Olympians, including Shehbaz Senior and Akhtar Rasool.