Hockey camp starts Jan 10

Bangladesh Hockey Federation yesterday named a 32-man preliminary squad with 18 players from the under-21 squad for the Asian Champions Trophy, which will be held in Dhaka in March this year.

The 32-man squad will report to head coach Mahbub Harun on January 10 before having themselves tested for Covid-19 ahead of the camp, which will start the following day at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium.

The squad features most of the senior players from the last assignment as well as juniors, some of whom have already represented the senior team. Bangladesh's last International assignment was in 2018 Asian Games, with a 5-0 defeat against Pakistan on August 28, 2018 being their last match.

Veterans Imran Hossain Pintu and Kamruzzaman Rana are the two omissions from that squad while defender Mamunur Rahman Chayan announced his retirement after the Asian Games.  "The selectors gave the squad based on performances. The squad is a blend of youth and experience. We will trim the squad down to 18 before the tournament," coach Mahbub Harun told media regarding the squad.

Bangladesh will host the Asian Champions Trophy, the elite hockey competition of the continent featuring India, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia and hosts Bangladesh from March 11 to 19.

Squad: Ashim, Nippon, Biplob, Noyon, Khorshed, Ashraf, Shitul, Shabuj, Mehedi, Rezaul, Manoz, Shishir, Shaon, Rakin, Sarowar, Roman, Nayeemuddin, Rabbi, Niloy, Abed, Topu, Jimmy, Milon, Koushik, Arshad, Mahbub, Emon, Rakibul, Mimo, Rajib, Mohsin, Debashish.