Dutch hockey legend Floris Jan Bovelander lamented: “It is a pity that a nation like Pakistan which has contributed hugely to the game and has a rich history in field hockey is not here to feature in the World Cup.”

And then he goes on to comment: “Many Pakistani players were naturally gifted… but hockey is now a different game, it is less skill and more power…”

However, Bovelander must realise that the Netherlands as well as other European members of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) are responsible for snuffing out the traditional hockey that was played on natural grass.

It is now over 30 years that FIH decreed that hockey should be played on Astroturf instead of grassy ground.

The Pakistani and Indian hockey federations were bamboozled into accepting the decision, although this resulted in the demise of traditional hockey in Pakistan and India.

If Bovelander and other great players really want to enjoy the technical beauty of traditional hockey, then they must try to convince FIH that parallel tournaments should be held on grass. There may be one World Cup on Astroturf and one on grass. Pakistan and India can again show their skills in the latter.

Azam Ismail
Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2014