Former Pakistan hockey team captain Salman Akbar has joined the Japan national hockey team ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup.
According to reports, the Japanese hockey team has acquired Salman Akbar’s services as part of its preparations for the prestigious international tournament. He will work specifically with the team’s goalkeepers and provide specialized training to help them improve their performance.
Salman Akbar will train the Japanese goalkeepers for one week. His experience as one of Pakistan’s leading goalkeepers and former national team captain is expected to benefit Japan as it prepares for the World Cup.
Salman Akbar has represented Pakistan at the highest level and has considerable international experience. During his playing career, he established himself as an important member of the national side and was particularly known for his goalkeeping abilities.
His association with Japan also highlights the growing recognition of Pakistani hockey expertise internationally. Former Pakistani players and coaches have increasingly contributed their knowledge and experience to hockey teams and players in other countries.
The Japan hockey team is currently in the Netherlands for the FIH Hockey World Cup. The tournament brings together leading hockey teams from around the world and provides an important platform for players and coaching staff to compete at the highest international level.
For Japan, strengthening its goalkeeping department is an important part of its preparations. Goalkeeping can play a decisive role in high-level hockey, particularly during penalty corners and penalty shootouts, where quick reactions, positioning and decision-making are crucial.
Salman Akbar’s short-term assignment will therefore focus on helping Japanese goalkeepers refine these skills before they compete in the World Cup.
His appointment is also a notable development for Pakistan hockey, as the expertise of a former Pakistani captain is being utilized by an international team preparing for one of the sport’s biggest tournaments.
The one-week training programme is expected to give Japan’s goalkeepers an opportunity to learn from Salman Akbar’s international experience and technical knowledge. His involvement could provide the team with additional confidence as it prepares for its World Cup campaign.
The development has attracted attention among Pakistani hockey followers, who have welcomed the opportunity for a former national captain to contribute to the development of another international team. It also demonstrates the potential of Pakistan’s hockey professionals to play a role beyond the national team setup.
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