Serpentine trip a sign of the times 

The Bangladesh Under-21 hockey team started their marathon of a journey to reach their preparation camp in Haryana, India, where they will conduct a camp for extended preparations before heading to Oman to participate in the Junior Asia Cup, scheduled to get underway from May 23. 

Their journey began yesterday when they left Dhaka by bus for the Benapole land border. The men in red and green will reach Kolkata and then catch a train to Delhi before travelling to Haryana by bus.

The circuitous journey was the talking point of yesterday's press conference at the Bangladesh Hockey Federation.

"I think the journey will not have any impact on performance during their preparations in India because the journey is now more comfortable than before," head coach Rashid said.

"There is no scope for a luxurious trip given the country's economic condition. We see no problem sending them to India via bus and train. Besides, we don't have any sponsors at the moment. We, the officials together, are sending the team to prepare in India," said BHF general secretary AKM Mominul Haque Shaeed.

Mamunur Rashid's charges are expected to play 10 practice matches against teams from Haryana and Jalandhar as well as academies and universities during an 18-day stay.

Bangladesh have been drawn in Pool B alongside Malaysia, South Korea, Uzbekistan and hosts Oman in the Junior Asia Cup. The team's target is to finish second in their pool and ensure a semifinal berth. That would also clinch a spot in the FIH Junior World Cup.

Bangladesh's best performance in Junior Asia Cup was a fifth-place finish in 1992.

"The opening match against Oman is very important. We need a winning start and we then have to beat South Korea to meet our target because Malaysia are currently a very strong side," Rashid added.