Miserable state of Pakistan hockey
Pakistan Hockey it seems has slipped into a never-ending slump, confirmed by their recent performances at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi where Pakistan failed to win a semi-final berth at the least.
Nevertheless, this decline has not surfaced out of the blue. The dip in performances was on the cards since the last decade but nobody paid any heed to the national sport of Pakistan. The results are glaringly evident in front of the entire nation. Pakistan
finished at the 12th place in the Hockey World Cup in New Delhi a few months back coupled with Pakistan’s inability to make it to the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games as well.
There are several reasons which have contributed magnanimously to the pathetic state of hockey at the national level in Pakistan. First of all, sponsors never came to support hockey because players never got the right incentives. Without equitable monetary
benefits, motivation to raise the game declined over time.
Secondly, the role of the Government of Pakistan has been extremely poor as they have been promoting only cricket and ignoring hockey to the best of their abilities. New Hockey stadiums have not been built where as existing hockey grounds are being used
as parking lots and marriage halls.
The hiring and firing of coaching staff and management never allowed players and officials to gel in with each other to create a healthy environment which is very necessary if a team wants to progress as a unit. The Pakistan Hockey Association (PHF) seems
to have no plans, randomly hiring foreign and domestic coaches in succession. They should either stick to a foreign coach or allow the domestic coach to run the team for at least 4 years if they really want to win trophies. Expecting miracles in a short span
of time is asking too much. As the saying goes – “if there is a method to madness, it is a strategy, but if there isn’t any method, it is sheer madness.”
Pakistan has failed to live up to the expectations of the Pakistani nation. Adding insult to injury, Pakistan got a pounding from India as they thumped a 7-4 defeat to end their dream of making it to semis of the Commonwealth Games.
As usual, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) isn’t really bothered. Secretary Asif Bajwa has set high hopes for his team to do well in the Asian Games which will be held in Guangzhou, China in the next few weeks.
It looks like a foolish statement from the PHF secretary after watching his side lose to a lowly rated South Africa in the playoffs for the sixth place at the Commonwealth Games.
The next assignment for Pakistan is the Asian Games and Asif Bajwa remains hopeful that this young Pakistan hockey team will surely do well in China. National pride will be at stake for Pakistan because if they fail in China, then they will not be able to
qualify for the Olympics.
But one cannot neglect the fact that it would really be tough for Pakistan because archrivals India are in the same group once again. Pakistan should recall their penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas who is the leading scorer in international hockey. His
presence will bring stability to Pakistan who badly needs goals if they are to mountain a challenge in front of the likes South Korea, Malaysia, India and China.
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