Chayan replaces Zahid as skipper
Forward Sheikh Mohammed Nannu and midfielder Sarwar Hossain were omitted from the 18-member national hockey squad for the forthcoming Asia Cup in Malaysia,
to be held from August 24 to September 1.
Nannu and Sarwar, who both played for Bangladesh in Round 2 of the World Hockey League in February, and an out-of-form Soaib Ali make way on the national team for three new faces – Farhad Ahmed Situl, Sabbir Hossain
and Roman Sarker. Sarwar remains on the standby list.
Abdullah Al Monsur was also left out of the squad due to injury concerns.
Rafiqul Islam Kamal, a member of the selection committee, told reporters during the final squad announcement that the team was selected by national team coach Naveed Alam.
`[Naveed] selected the team on the basis of performance and [the selection committee] agreed with him,’ Kamal said on Thursday.
`In the interest of hockey, we prioritised player performance. We did not pay attention to players’ actions surrounding the current off-field situation and we also overlooked disciplinary violations,’ he added.
Mamunur Rahman Chayan regained the captain’s armband, which he wore for Bangladesh during Round 1 of the World Hockey League in Singapore but surrendered it to goalkeeper Zahid Hossain for the Round 2 games in India.
`It will be a huge responsibility to lead the national team. I will try my best to improve team unity and to maintain the performance that we achieved in the last tournament in India,’ said the penalty corner specialist.
BKSP student Roman Sarker expressed his joy after being named in the national team for the first time.
`I have had the experience of representing the Under-16 national team, but I was just picked for the first time for the senior national team. My only goal is to do something for the nation,’ said the forward from Narayanganj.
Farhad Ahmed Situl, another BKSP student, said he was confident the he could secure a permanent place in the national team.
Sabbir Hossain of the Bangladesh Army was hopeful of performing well in the Asia Cup if given the chance to play.
As a part of its Asia Cup preparation, the Bangladesh team will play four practice matches against the Food Corporation of India in Dhaka after the Eid ul Fitr. The team will then leave Dhaka on August 20 for Malaysia, where it is scheduled to play a practice match against Pakistan on August 22.
Bangladesh will start their Asia Cup campaign on August 25 with their opening match against South Korea. They face Oman the next day and play their final group match against India on August 28.
Squad
Zahid Hossain, Ashim Gope, Mamunur Rahman Chayan (captain), Khorsedur Rahman, Mashiur Rahman, Imran Hasan, Md Rokonuzzaman, Tapash Barman, Farhad Ahmed Situl, AHM Kamruzzaman, Abdul Malek, Sabbir Hossain, Russell Mahmud Jimmy, Pushkar Khisha Mimo, Krishno Kumar (vice-captain), Mainul Islam, Hasan Zubair Niloy, Roman Sarker.
-With New Age input
