Dhaka, Aug 25 - Nineteen Bangladesh hockey players have proceeded to Germany to hone their skills as part of their preparation for next year's South Asian Games.

The move comes close to the twin victory Bangladeshi cricketers scored against the West Indies and Zimbabwe, to win nationwide applause and be hailed as 'tigers' and 'golden boys' by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

However, the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) has been unable to work out a domestic hockey competition for over a year, forcing the national level players to take jobs, engage in business and slacken on training and practice, The Daily Star said Tuesday.

Bangladesh finished last in the seven-team Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur where they conceded 32 goals in four games.

'I must appreciate the initiatives of the federation for sending the national team players abroad for training, but one thing they should not forget is that our hockey is not about nourishing only 20 players,' said midfielder Shahidullah Titu, who donned the national jersey in this year's Asia Cup.