The ace striker has recovered from a knee injury and is likely to be named in the squad for next month's Olympic qualifier.
It will take India at least a decade compete with the world's best, says former hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay.
The PHL Trophy, made from Swarovski Crystals, was unveiled in Hyderabd on Tuesday.
The former India ace scored the only goal of the match in the final against Border Security Force.
The surprise decision comes despite the Indian team finishing a creditable second in the four-nation tournament in Dusseldorf\n\non Sunday.
'Whatever happened at the Asian Games, that's a big learning curve for the players, coach and the staff.'
The mercurial forward and Baljit Singh Dhillon are among nine players named for a pre-Olympic camp in Cologne from May 27 to June 21.
The IHF chief is alleged to have abused and ordered journalists to leave the hockey cam they had gone to cover.
Do you think the former India captain should be in the team for the Athens Games?
The IOA president said Pillay's experience could improve the medal chances of the eight-time Olympic hockey champions.
'My target is not just to qualify for the Olympics but also do well at Athens and end up in a good position,' says Indian hockey Chief Coach Rajinder Singh.
Mercurial striker and four-time Olympian Dhanraj Pillay would retire after the Athens Games.
The hockey veteran of four Olympics said the team should work on fitness as only four months are left for the elite six-nation tournament, in Chennai.
The former India goalkeeper turned in a fine display in the tie-breaker as Airlines beat Central Railway in the quarter-finals of the DCM Shriram tournament.
The two veterans are sure to figure among the 26 Olympic probables, to be announced by the Indian Hockey Federation in Delhi on Monday.
The IHF chief described the controversy surrounding Dhanraj Pillay's exclusion as "uncalled for."
Six Olympians have written to the President seeking to draw his attention to the autocratic way in which the IHF was being run
India hockey captain Dilip Tirkey says Pillay's experience will be missed at the upcoming Olympic hockey qualifier in Madrid.
The ace defender has been appointed skipper for the upcoming three-Test series against Holland in Hyderabad.
Five goalkeepers, four full backs, 10 mid-fielders and 11 forwards figure in the 30-man list.
Indian Airlines beat Bharat Petroleum while Indian Oil beat Air India in the Super League stage of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh hockey tournament.
The ace forward said he is fully fit and can withstand the rigours of international hockey.
India's hockey coach said the team will try to sort out "certain weaknesses" during the Afro-Asian Games.
Pakistan take on Nigeria in another match in the Afro Asian Games hockey tournament.
Drag-flicker Len Aiyappa was also included in the 16-man squad for the Afro-Asian Games.
Sunil Gavaskar, P T Usha, Geet Sethi, Dhanraj Pillay and Irfan Pathan have joined hands to spread the message of 'Sports for Development and Peace'.
The former India forward scored the golden goal as Maratha Warriors defeated Chennai Veerans 3-2 in the Premier Hockey League.\n
Skipper Dhanraj Pillay said the team will try to rectify the mistakes it committed during the Champions Trophy hockey tournament.
Dr Vece Paes briefed them on how to remain fit and fresh for the entire duration of the game.
The Indian hockey captain said it will only benefit the game in the country.
India scored twice in each half for a 4-1 win in the Hamburg Masters hockey tournament.
India have never won the prestigious Champions Trophy and it's best ever show has been a third place finish.
Defender Dilip Tirkey will lead the team for the four-Test series, starting on September 24.
Airlines beat J&K Police 6-0 to enter the last 8 in the Bombay Gold Cup hockey tournamwent.
India beat Ireland 6-2 to win the third and last Test in Cologne, Germany.
Sports Minister Vikram Verma said there was no discussion on selection matters.
"I can't understand why I was not picked," the 30-year-old full-back said.\n\n
Dashing forward Dhanraj Pillay trained with the junior India team in Mumbai on Wednesday.
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