THIS refers to the report ‘Green-shirts clicked when it mattered most, says Islah’ (Dec 12). Pakistan’s chief hockey selector Islahuddin Siddiqui has urged the government to “dole out funds into the coffers of the Pakistan Hockey Federation to keep the game going.”

Then he claims that in the absence of jobs and monetary assistance, it would be unwise to expect a player to deliver.

It is true that the government needs to patronise the national sport. But it is not the responsibility of the government to raise funds for hockey. It is, in fact, the PHF which is constitutionally bound to generate funds and promote hockey at every level in the country.

More shocking is Islahuddin’s statement after Pakistan’s semifinal victory against India wherein he said that as Pakistan had defeated India, it had won the Champions Trophy. Defeating India is indeed an emotional thing for every Pakistani. But such a statement from a former captain is sad.

We go into a tournament to win the title, not only to defeat India. If this will be the temperament of the chief selector, why then would young Pakistani players play for glory? We need to change this mindset.

Jamshaid Ahmad

Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 22th, 2014