THE forthcoming Champions Trophy will be the 25th edition of the prestigious tournament that was launched way back in 1978. Pakistan had clinched the coveted trophy, an dI take much pride in being the captain of the side that had done it. Subsequently, Pakistan won two more; in 1980 and then after an uncomfortably long period of fourteen years in 1994. All three of these titles, incidentally, were secured when the tournament was played at home, and not one has been achieved when playing abroad.
In any case, it has been nine barren years that Pakistan has done well at the Champions Trophy, a tournament that was launched by Pakistan itself. It would be wonderful if Pakistan could revive the winning memory of that maiden event of a quarter of a century ago. But is it a case of hoping for too much?
With the return to the fold of three key players, I am sure the team would do well. If it doesn’t, it will have no excuses to make like it did after the recent debacle in Australia. But I am absolutely certain that the team and the team management will be able to forget the recent drubbing like a bad dream, and will move on with the game.
In sports, history counts for precious little. It is the performance on the day that matters, and the lads will do well to erase all bad memories and concentrate on the job in hand. It is the responsibility of the team management as well to keep the boys in good humour, and encourage them to do well rather than dwelling on what happened in the past and why it happened at all. I am also inclined to trust the new set of officials that has been announced by the Pakistan Hockey Federation, and expect it to do well.
Together, the team and the team management have the potential to do well, and the entire setup has the blessings of the PHF hierarchy, which is so vital for the smooth functioning of the unit. In short, all the off-field ingredients are there in place. It is upto the team management now to maximize the positives and keep an eye on the negatives, and for the lads to execute the strategy on the field. It is easier said than done, though!
The recent decision by the PHF boss, General Mohammad Aziz Khan, to recall Sohail Abbas and Waseem Ahmed after imposing a financial penalty on them for their act of discipline is bound to put that much more pressure on the two players, as they would be carrying the extra burden of expectations on their shoulders, and will be under pressure to deliver.
This is not to say that it should not have been done. Far from it, the decision was just the thing that was needed at this step. As I wrote last week, the one-year ban recommended by the Disciplinary Committee was a bit harsh, and the General has done well to take the saner course of action. There can be little doubt that the team, and, indeed, the nation needed its key players back, and that has been done without compromising on the issue of maintaining discipline in the ranks. The PHF decision has ensured that players in future will think twice before crossing the line.
Having said that, the PHF should also think about the reason that compelled the players to prefer a stint in the German League over national duty. Though it cannot be condoned, the action is more out of financial desperation than anything else. I have spoken earlier as well about the need of making hockey a professional game in keeping with the changing times. The PHF will do a great service if it could actively take up the matter with the FIH.
THE forthcoming Champions Trophy will be the 25th edition of the prestigious tournament that was launched way back in 1978. Pakistan had clinched the coveted trophy, an dI take much pride in being the captain of the side that had done it. Subsequently, Pakistan won two more; in 1980 and then after an uncomfortably long period of fourteen years in 1994. All three of these titles, incidentally, were secured when the tournament was played at home, and not one has been achieved when playing abroad.
