Golden glory hoped to return to Pakistan
Following a historic victory in the 16th Asian Games, hockey is moving towards re revival. Pakistan, the eight-time Asian gold medalist, four-time World Cup Champions and three-time Olympic winners have reigned over
the game in the past but for the last decade or so, have seen a considerable slump.
The Chiefs of Pakistan hockey are working towards hosting international level tournaments at as early as possible to boost up the national game. International Sporting events were bunged in the country following a terrorist attack
on the Sri Lankan Cricket team back in 2009 and Pakistan was declared a no-go area for international sportsmen.
Secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Asif Bajwa said, “We are on a project that is aimed at hosting a couple of series involving international teams in Pakistan. I can’t give any more details but we are confident
that international games could take place in Pakistan by February or March next year.”
The details of the teams though have not been revealed so far, but these will be Malaysia and India for bilateral competitions next year. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is also going to organize a Dubai-based international
hockey league in the coming year.
The PHF will invite players from all the hockey playing countries for the Dubai-based hockey league to make it more successful and fruitful.
The Pakistan hockey team is unengaged and has no international assignments till May 2011, thus it is planning to organise a home series tournaments to prepare the squad for the 2012 London Olympics. The upcoming major assignment
of the Pakistan hockey team is the Malaysia based Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in May, 2011.
Former Olympian and Secretary PHF, Asif Bajwa further said, “Most of the teams will be involved in their domestic events over the next four to five months which is why there are no international events till May. We hope to make
good progress on the league by the end of this month.”
The Pakistan hockey team besides organising the tournaments on its home ground is also mulling to take an African trip prior to the Azlan Shah Cup. The PHF, if successful in lining up bilateral games against South Africa and Egypt,
will certainly help the players in preparing for their next target, the 2012 London Olympics.
According to media reports, the PHF is considering to bring changes in the management of the hockey team, particularly in the selection committee and the managerial staff.
However, the changes in the team’s management will be decided in the upcoming meeting of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) in January.
President, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Qasim Zia while taking all the stake holders on-board, will take decision regarding any changes in the management and the team.
Qasim Zia was of the view that they had won a significant tournament after a long time and were still feting the triumph which is why no other matters were on their mind. The Executive Board and the President of the Pakistan Hockey
Federation will take decisions in this regard, he added.
Earlier, Qasim Zia said that Dutch coach Michel Van Den Heuvel will remain with the Greenshirts till the 2012 London Olympics as he worked exceptionally well with the team in the Asian Games.
The triumph in the Asiad will be the first step in the way towards a revival of the game in the country and with these measures, the Greenshirts have been put on the right track towards the World Cup and the Olympics.
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