New hockey captain confident about acing Asian Games Qualifiers

Rezaul Karim Babu, the recently-appointed captain of Bangladesh national hockey team, is not thinking anything other than the title in the upcoming Asian Games Qualifiers.

The Bangladesh team will leave for Bangkok on Wednesday night for the nine-nation qualifiers event, which starts on May 6.

The top six teams will join India, Japan, Malaysia, Korea, Pakistan and China in the 12-team hockey event of Asian Games in China in September.

The charges of Iman Gobinathan Krishnamurthy went through three weeks of training at BKSP and Dhaka before and during the Eid holidays.

"We have had a nice Eid even though we trained in the morning before offering prayers at Baitul Mokarram Mosque," said captain Babu, who will wear the captain's armband for the first time since making debut in 2014.

"Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Singapore are in our pool in the qualifiers and I think they are equal strength teams. Indonesia had training in Malaysia and played five practice matches for the qualifiers. I believe we will not face much trouble against these opponents. We can't think of anything other than becoming champions," the defender said.

"We have focused on the Asian Games Qualifiers with a bit change in strategy during the training at BKSP, so that opponents can't understand the way we want to play. Because the participating teams saw us in the AHF Cup in May where we became Champions," said the 25-year-old player.

Babu, who has been playing in top-flight hockey since 2010 for Azad SC, Usha KC, Abahani and Dhaka Mariners Youngs Club, is pleased to get the responsibility of the national team.

"I am really happy to become captain as the team management kept faith on me and I will try to motivate everyone to bring out their best. I will definitely enjoy leading the team and get positive results," said Babu.

FIXTURES

7 May - Bangladesh vs Indonesia

10 May - Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka

12 May - Bangladesh vs Singapore.