Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Tariq Masoori Bugti is
considering extending an invitation to players from Asian countries to
play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Tariq Bugti, who was nominated by the prime minister of Pakistan as
the PHF president and then sought the vote of confidence from the
PHF’s Congress, arrived in the city of Ipoh on Wednesday with the
Pakistan team for the 30 th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup starting
this evening.
He added that having talented hockey players from Asian countries
compete in the PSL would be in the best interest of Pakistan’s hockey
development.
“I am giving serious thought to this, and we will discuss with the PHF
committee members upon our return after the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup,”
said Tariq, as he watched the team undergo training at the stadium
under a light drizzle on Friday in preparation for the opening match
against host Malaysia.
“There is no issue with security as we have many other teams from
different sports playing in Pakistan. The New Zealand cricket team
toured Pakistan recently for a five-match T20 series. There is no issue,”
said Tariq.
As for the SAS Cup, he said: “We have good players in the SAS Cup,
both seniors and juniors. They are the best picks and I’m confident we
will give a good performance and get a credible finish.”
“I believe the Pakistan team have a good opportunity to win this Sultan
Azlan Shah Cup tournament. We have assembled the best players for
this tournament. Personally, I would be very happy to see the team
qualify for the final. We respect all the teams competing here as they
are world class teams.”
“That is why I am here in Malaysia for the first time with the team. We
are here to give the players support and motivation, and also look at
their welfare.”
Ammad Shakeel Butt has been appointed captain of the team while
Abu Bakar is vice-captain. The Pakistanis, who had hired Dutchman
Roeland Oltmans as coach for the SAS Cup and Nations Cup in Poland

(May 30-June 9), have 10 senior players and eight juniors picked from
the 2023 Junior World Cup squad.
“All the players have been playing in a lot of international matches,
from the JWC to the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, and the Paris
Olympics qualifying round in Oman.”
PHF’s long term development plan is to get Pakistan back on the
international hockey podium finish after a long dry spell.
“Apart from inviting Asian players to play in our league, we have plans
to send the team to Europe for matches as part of the programme
towards the 2026 Asian Games which is an Olympic Games qualifying
event.
“After the SAS Cup the players will take a break rest for few days. They
will train for two weeks before heading for the Nations Cup in Poland.
It is a very challenging tournament,” he said.
“It is an important tournament as well. We will play in the FIH Pro
League if we win and that is what we are aiming for.”