Asif Bajwa, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), gave a complete vote of confidence to the national team and its management during an interview with Arab News. The former Olympian declared that the PHF believes Pakistan are right on course ahead of this year’s Champions Trophy in New Delhi and the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

“We believe that our team is shaping up well ahead of two major international tournaments including next year’s Olympic Games in London,” said Bajwa.

Bajwa’s comments came in response to stinging criticism unleashed by several former Olympians, who fear that an ‘aging’ Pakistan team will not be able to put up a good showing in major events like the Champions Trophy and the Olympics.

Critics believe that the defeats suffered against lower-ranked teams like France and Belgium during the tour of Europe are a clear proof that Pakistan are struggling to come at par with European teams even after their title-winning triumph at the Asian Games in China late last year.

Former greats like Shehnaz Sheikh and Samiullah believe that Pakistan, once the most successful team in the hockey world, currently lag far behind top teams like reigning world champions Australia, Germany, Netherlands and Spain, especially when it comes to player fitness.

Over the years, hockey has transformed itself as a fast-paced sport in which fitness has surpassed skills as the single most important feature of the game.

“We have several players in our national team who are in their thirties. Their fitness level is not up to the mark, a fact that is going to be a huge minus point for Pakistan in demanding tournaments like the Champions Trophy,” said Shehnaz.

The former Pakistan coach recalled last month’s Rabo Trophy, a four-nation hockey tournament in Amsterdam where Pakistan crashed to a last-place finish following defeats against Germany and hosts Netherlands in back-to-back matches.

“It was evident that our players aren’t fit enough to play back-to-back matches, especially against top teams. That’s bad news because we will have to deal with even more difficult situations in events like the Champions Trophy. With the current players I don’t think we are ready for such tournaments,” said Shehnaz.

Former greats like Shehnaz and Samiullah are calling for the induction of younger players in the national team.

But PHF and national team officials are keeping their faith in older but more experienced players like drag flick expert Sohail Abbas, midfielders Waseem Ahmed and strikers Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi.

Bajwa, himself a former Olympian, made it clear that the PHF will back the team management. “We have several experienced coaches in our team management and if they are ready to back the senior players then the PHF will support their decision all the way,” said Bajwa.

Dutchman Michel van den Heuvel, a former national hockey coach of Netherlands, spearheads Pakistan’s team management as the head coach.

Former Olympians Khawaja Junaid (manager) and Shahid Ali Khan (coach) are also part of the national team management.