THE national side is once again getting ready for some serious challenges in the international arena. The camp is under way and the players and coaches, I am sure, would all be geared up for the assignments ahead. Newspaper reports, however, suggest that the preparation may not be on ideal lines. First, it was the case of three senior players missing from the camp, and then the national coach was quoted by the media as having reservations about the nomination of his assistant by the Pakistan Hockey Federation.
None of the two developments can be described as anything except being unfortunate, to say the least, betraying indiscipline and internal rifts. By no means can this be called an ideal preparation.
Nadeem ND, Sohail Abbas and Mohammad Waseem are all senior players, and have carried the burden of national hockey for the last several years. Indeed, they have been part of the nucleus around which the PHF has been trying to build a formidable team. But the seniors have to realize the responsibility that comes with seniority. And, on this occasion at least, the three seniors were found lacking.
That they proceeded to play League hockey in Europe without informing the Pakistan Hockey Federation or the team management is an act of gross misconduct and severe indiscipline. But worse is the fact that they preferred a League stint over national duty. The team’s itinerary was known to all months ago, and the players naturally cannot claim to be ignorant about it. Forgetting that it was only because of the exposure provided by the country that they were offered League contracts, the three have simply let the nation down. They have demonstrated beyond doubt that for them, monetary benefits come before national honour, which is a low-priority area for them.
The PHF hierarchy would do well to nip this menace in the bud before others get infected by it. A disciplinary action against Nadeem, Sohail and Waseem will be in the fitness of things, and would act as a warning for the rest of the squad as well as for those wearing the national colour in the future.
In case, the matter is allowed to linger on, and the players being allowed back in the fold without any action, it will set a bad precedent. The case of cricketer Shoaib Akhtar can be cited as an example in this regard.
He considered himself larger than the sport, and indulged in all kinds of antics. The more the PCB pampered him, more notorious he got. It was only after the Board decided it had enough of it that he was dumped. Even now when he is part of the team once again, he has been told that he is walking the tightrope; another blunder, and he is out. If screws can be tightened in a professional game, why can’t this be done in hockey which is still managed on amateur lines?
This brings us to the inter-connected issue of why, in the first place, did the players opt to play League hockey. The answer is simple: for monetary benefits, of course. While they left without permission and at a time when they should have represented the country is unpardonable, one has to concede that financial emoluments mean a lot more today than was the case, say, twenty years ago.
The players have to secure their future and that of their families, and that is not possible under the conditions prevailing at home where there are no incentives involved. Employment opportunities for the players remain scarce even though Prime Minister Jamali did make promises in this regard.
The PHF must take appropriate action against the erring players, but it must also concentrate on bringing about a change where the players may not feel tempted to go abroad to earn their living, and may conserve their energies for national duty.
THE national side is once again getting ready for some serious challenges in the international arena. The camp is under way and the players and coaches, I am sure, would all be geared up for the assignments ahead. Newspaper reports, however, suggest that the preparation may not be on ideal lines. First, it was the case of three senior players missing from the camp, and then the national coach was quoted by the media as having reservations about the nomination of his assistant by the Pakistan Hockey Federation.
