Hockey - The National Sport of Pakistan
Hockey is the national sport of Pakistan, which is lacking the type of importance it deserves to have, considering the rich history the nation has in the sport. Hockey is more clearly recognisable in the West as field hockey or ground hockey.
Hockey in Pakistan dates back to the middle of the 19th century, when the British had colonised the sub-continent. They had introduced this game to the public, when cricket was not so common among the people. Hockey became the national game of
India and the first clubs were established at Calcutta, in 1885. Later in 1947, Pakistan came into existence and chose hockey to be their national game.
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) was formed in 1948. The Beighton and Agha Khan Cup took place within ten years of Pakistan’s establishment.
Pakistan has many great names like Waseem Ahmed, Mohammed Saqlain, Hassan Sardar, Sohail Abbas and Rehan Butt, who have embraced the sport. Pakistan has won four of the Men’s World Cup in 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994. The nation has won silver medals twice,
in the 1975 and 1990 World Cup. Another huge achievement in 1994 was the Champions Trophy title.
Pakistan hockey team has some glorious years to recall, if the country’s success in the sport is scrutinised. However, for the past few years, the team’s performance had a great set back which is usually blamed as a result of improper management and lack
of investment over the team’s preparation.
There is a dire need of talented players for the team at present, considering the performances given by them in the past year. The team’s welcoming win at the Asian games has undoubtedly over-shadowed the past failures of the team, in the year 2010. A hope
of winning the Olympic title in 2012 has also developed in the hearts of the Pakistani nation.
Hockey, in general, is a game with a team of 16 players. Eleven are active on the field, while the remaining five are substitutes. Eleven players of a team comprise of one goal-keeper, five defenders and five attackers. Hockey has many tournaments played
at the international level for both Men and Women, which include the Olympics, Quadrennial World Cup, Champions Trophy and the World Cup.
The game commences with the toss, where the winning captain can chooses a starting side or the ball. Each match is of 70 minutes, split into two halves of 35 minutes.
The top two hockey events are the Olympics and the World Cup. Champions Trophy is another important tournament that occurs every year, among the top six ranked teams. Hockey has also become the part of the Commonwealth Games, since 1998.
According to statistics, Pakistan has won the Olympics gold medal thrice, while the team has secured the silver medal three times and the bronze, on two occasions. Pakistan was the first team to introduce the Champions Trophy and the team has won the title
thrice.
Pakistan hockey team is a seven-time champion at the Asian games, along with two silver medals and three bronze medals. In the Asia cup, the side has three wins and two runners-up medals. The Commonwealth Games has seen the team win the silver and bronze
medal once, until now.
The Asian games’ victory was very important for Pakistan, as it gave the team get a direct access to the 2012 London Olympics.
The performance of the team in this prestigious event shall determine their potential and consistency towards a better record, which has been wrecked by their previous performances. No further slumps are admissible after looking at the ruined record of the
team, which used to be sky-high at some point of time.
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