‘It’s doomsday for Pakistan hockey’

The Newspaper's Sports Reporter Published July 4, 2015

LAHORE: Former Olympians, who have seen national flag fly high on numerous occasions in world hockey in the past, lashed out at the PHF after Pakistan failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics following an embarrassing 0-1 defeat at the hands of Ireland on Friday.

One of them explicitly called it ‘doomsday for Pakistan hockey’.

“We have been listening to the same rhetoric from the PHF and their coaches for several years that ‘the team will win’ so and so event, but actually they came back empty-handed [on almost all occasions],” former Olympian Khawaja Zakauddin lamented.

“We finished a pathetic 12th at the 2010 World Cup and then we were ousted from the 2014 edition and now we will not be featuring in the Olympics for the first time, and therefore it is nothing but a doomsday for Pakistan hockey,” Zakauddin added.

“There seems to be an unending road of disaster for Pakistan hockey and I think all the stakeholders, including the government, should focus how to resurrect the national game which over the years has experienced unprecedented decline,” underlined Zaka, who has served Pakistan as head coach and manager on several occasions.

Zaka, however, agreed that the government had to take care of the players at all costs.

“The players should be honoured by all means by the government as they are the custodians of our national game,” he insisted.

Manzoor-ul-Hasan Senior, another Olympian, vented his anger over the team’s crash in Antwerp, saying it was time the PHF officials, who had been claiming themselves to be the ‘custodians’ of modern hockey, should feel ashamed.

However, when reminded that the team’s head coach Shahnaz Sheikh also belonged to the old hockey genre, Manzoor reckoned the head coach had committed several errors after joining ‘modern hockey’ campaigner like Asif Bajwa and company.

According to Manzoor, the biggest mistake committed by Shahnaz was of relieving Nasir Ali and Sameer Hussain as his assistant coaches on the advice of the PHF, and acquiring the services of Danish Kaleem.

“One can’t understand why the PHF sacked Shahnaz’s assistant coaches [Sameer and Nasir] — who were doing a good job — at the eleventh hour to adjust Danish,” Manzoor wondered.

He added: “The players are not responsible for the defeat [in Antwerp] as they have been totally ignored by the PHF officials.

“They have no respect from the officials as well as coaches.”

Asked how much blame the government (which had denied the supposedly cash-strapped PHF financial assistance in the past two years) should take for the present catastrophic situation of Pakistan hockey, Manzoor said federal ministers Ishaq Dar and Pervaiz Rashid had expressed their reservations over the reputation of current PHF office-bearers.

“Therefore, how could they hand over funds to such people?”

Meanwhile, Col. Mudassar, who also acted as PHF secretary in the past, said he could not believe that Ireland defeated Pakistan.

“I will not say that it is shameful for PHF president Akhtar Rasool or his secretary Rana Mujahid. As a nation, it is the darkest day for Pakistan hockey, and we all should feel shamed,” Mudassar said with a grieved voice.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2015

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ikram

Jul 04, 2015 06:21am

What a shame!

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Shahzad

Jul 04, 2015 06:26am

Jaisa mulk waisay log. Ruler of country think about themselves first and country later, so did the office bearers of PHF. Their logic is reasonable, that is, why waste taxpayer's money on a game like Hockey and lowly people in team, rather make someone (themselves) millionaire as in this way PHF office bearers at least adding few more mega-rich in the community (making themselves richer). Same thinking what our rulers have, so why should Pakistan cry?

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Ali Vaqar Awan

Jul 04, 2015 06:56am

This is very shameful that our hockey team has failed to qualify for Olympics. It is very painful and big emotional torture to see such days falling on our hockey. All the blame goes to corrupt officials, government and wicked politicians. They wanted power for themselves rather than bring development and improvement to hockey. Now entire PHF needs to sacked and restructured. PHF should be runned by hockey players and investors who are ready to invest and have keen interest for game. Obviously we need some one like Nur Khan who was strong willed and great administrator. Under him our hockey enjoyed golden era and dominance. My heart is broken that I have to see our hockey team falling such low. It was bound to happen when there is infighting going on, no proper planing, no serious practice, no serious efforts and having no proper game plan.

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rathorew

Jul 04, 2015 07:17am

How is hockey our "national game?" Pakistan and India used to win in the Olympics because hardly any countries played hockey. Now that many of them do, and their level of fitness and professionalism is much higher than ours, it is not surprising that they can beat us.

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Bond

Jul 04, 2015 07:17am

Grooming younger players and making sure they can withstand the rigors of modern hockey will help Pakistan. Unfortunately, given the state of affairs and a lackadaisical attitude toward everything except self interest makes it hard. But it's worth a try.

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Junaid Khan(True Pakistani)

Jul 04, 2015 07:41am

Gud

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Iqbal

Jul 04, 2015 07:55am

Players played for free and did a commendable job, blame should be placed solely on the government and PHF for not being on the same page. How many people would actually put their careers or jobs on hold and play for their country without any monetary gains especially in a country where the lower and even some middle class folks cannot even afford meals for their entire day. Spare a thought for the players and their families.

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NASH

Jul 04, 2015 07:59am

It is indeed sad to see Pakistan hockey falling to such low level. But then why should it be different than other Pakistani institutions.

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Well wisher

Jul 04, 2015 08:08am

The irony is that whenever a news item on hockey losing comes about, the news item only discusses the coaches, federation etc. I have yet to see or hear a view from the inside I.e. The players perspectives...

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Adeeb

Jul 04, 2015 08:14am

What would you expect when the officials gets $200 and the players get $20 as the daily allownce

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mabob

Jul 04, 2015 08:39am

Destitute has lost their place in hockey institute. Pakistan was the leader in many sports now has turned over to destitute and no one ever had instituted an inquiry what and where has gone wrong in this turn over. Corruption, nepotism, lack of interest, lack of responsibility and selling out national talents are the basic issues that need investigation and refinement. Start with sacking entire hockey officials and set up an example for other supports.

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Junaid Khan(True Pakistani)

Jul 04, 2015 08:49am

Hockey and everything under the able leadership of PM Nawaz Sharif will review and will achieve its past glory

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Sasindran Ayadakandiyil

Jul 04, 2015 09:56am

State of Indian hockey is not too different

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Talha

Jul 04, 2015 10:05am

We lost to Ireland? How low can our hockey go? Shame on the Sports Ministry to not give any attention to hockey and other sports. Shame on PHF for not managing things properly and if they feel that the government was unsupportive then at least they should have protested about it. The players don't deserve the blame (even though they lacked quality).

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Abu-Salmaan

Jul 04, 2015 10:06am

@NASH Yes the decline of hockey and cricket of Pakistan is a true reflection of the state of affaires in Pakistan. Why expect different results, "as you sow so shall you reap".

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AHMET ABDULAZIZ

Jul 04, 2015 10:17am

i always believe that hockey talent can be picked at the school level. Unless you popularise hockey at the school level, you cannot get talented boys. Unless you have big lot of talented players, you can not select the best. On the contrary out of a small pool of talented players, these are the best that could have been picked.

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Iqbal

Jul 04, 2015 11:00am

@Adeeb. They players had too much self respect that they refused to even accept the $20/day allowance.

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SachBol

Jul 04, 2015 11:05am

It's about time we should spend money on hockey team and infrastructure by diverting some resources away from cricket.

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arkatulla kahan

Jul 04, 2015 11:32am

@rathorew We need not worry about qualifying in olympics. we should play our type of hockey, bare footed & on the natural grass. only thing about this is we should increase number of players having good skill should increase by 5 folds. we pakistanis should never be able to match the speed & stamina of the aussies now. hence forget that part but increase number of good players in old tradition type.

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Raja Parekh

Jul 04, 2015 12:02pm

@Sasindran Ayadakandiyil Why drag India into this! Also, it is not comforting.

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M. Saeed Awan

Jul 04, 2015 12:28pm

Really doomsday for hockey lovers. No need for local coach as there is no improvement over a decade. All are money maker and to enjoy the title. Let Shahbaz Sr. be called back to infuse energy and technique in forward line. We have had rich talent but poor infastructure led to apathy.

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syed wasim haider

Jul 04, 2015 01:23pm

We lost because government never took hockey seriously. For them, it is only cricket as it is a money making game. Select players on merit only.Make them fit and then pay them enough ;definitely u will get the result.

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k k tiwari, India

Jul 04, 2015 01:59pm

Sooner or later, the best hockey team will be Malaysia. What a energetic young team . I rate them above India & Pakistan too. Having sad so, Sorry if I offended anyone

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rk singh

Jul 04, 2015 02:17pm

My sympathies for Pakistan. India will wing the Olympic gold to cheer you up.

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Z Khan

Jul 04, 2015 02:37pm

How can hockey and other games thrive in our country. Most of the playgrounds have been hijacked by land mafias or municipal governments have ruined them by converting them into businesses such as fun lands etc . Take for example Peshawar, playgrounds such as shahi bagh, wazir bagh, Jinnah park have all been ruined by municipal government especially during the previous ANP & MMA governments. Without suitable playgrounds and other facilities, how could we expect that any game would flourish in our country.

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Fahad

Jul 04, 2015 03:22pm

Dont hide behind the word shame. Fix it !

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M.H.Kabir,Dhaka,Bangladesh.

Jul 04, 2015 04:58pm

When a country start progressing it progress not only economically but in every sector i,e Economy ,Education ,Communication, Human Development , Sports,etc,etc.And when a country start nose diving it goes down with every thing it has. Unfortunately , It is happening in your case.You , as a nation , must be ashamed.

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Shivan

Jul 04, 2015 06:18pm

The decline seems to be affecting all spheres of Pakistan's life, not only sports. Cant believe that the country which produced world class star performers in cricket, squash, hockey has fallen to such lows.

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Raghu

Jul 04, 2015 07:36pm

EASY to blame , ask what have you done except for blaming. Save your youth who are under clutches of Clerics, who were taught hate and they hold AK-47 by age of 15 instead of a hockey bat.

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irfan chaudhry

Jul 04, 2015 09:09pm

The writing was on the wall all along and the distinct humiliation shouldn't be a surprise for anyone. I confess, it is a hard pill to swallow for someone like me who grew up during the glory days of Pakistan hockey. It is evident after seeing the gradual decline over the years that we are now light years behind the rest of the world. I recommend not sending the team to international competitions since we can't compete. Primer minister needs to focus on building his bank accounts and think about next meal of the day. He doesn't have the smarts to resolve such matters. Our incompetent and greedy leaders can't provide the basic amenities for the citizens of Pakistan let alone improve the state of hockey.

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shabut

Jul 04, 2015 09:29pm

Manzoor said federal ministers Ishaq Dar and Pervaiz Rashid had expressed their reservations over the reputation of current PHF office-bearers. “Therefore, how could they hand over funds to such people?” What? This the most illogical argument I have seen. The Govt. ministers don't trust the people in PHF. Can these pathetic ministers tell us that who is the patron of the Hockey? It is their beloved prime minister and he is the one responsible for appointing officials in PHF.

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komal s

Jul 04, 2015 09:46pm

Isn't it funny, when cricket teams do not do well, we say they are spoiled because of too much money, we say the exact opposite for the hockey teams.

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ajay

Jul 04, 2015 11:00pm

This is a common problem for south asian nations. We link our country's pride to a game, putting a ton load of pressure on the players. Why don't we let them play their natural game? When will we change this attitude?

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Imran Qureshi

Jul 04, 2015 11:35pm

@shabut : Why dont the officials get fired for such poor performance. Only in Pakistan the officials stay in their positions. If it were another country, they would have have long gone by now....

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Ashar

Jul 04, 2015 11:45pm

Why is it always 'Ireland' that always kicks us out of important sporting events...first Cricket World cup and now Hockey at the Olympics! lol

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think_then_speak

Jul 05, 2015 12:40am

Pakistan should stop sticking to hockey as national game and waste precious national revenue on it. Hockey had never been a popular game in Pakistan, and present defeats shows a natural outcome of artificially pumped game.

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Musclemaan

Jul 05, 2015 12:51am

So what if failed in Hockey, we are doing well in Badminton, squash,Tennisweight lifting etc. We are also world champions in shooting.

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khalid Muhammad

Jul 05, 2015 03:20am

I am kind of surprise people including our PM got embarrassed that we din't qualify for Olympics. To me qualifying for Olympics and be last ranked team at the end is also not joyful. I think if our PM and other officials started getting embarrassed when we stopped standing on podium for the first 3 positions they probably would have done something constructive to improve our infrastructure and groom the players who were physically fit and have skills to beat the world. PM need to stop this nonsense and do something tangible to make a difference, not just release statements.

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mohammad bin qassim

Jul 05, 2015 03:56am

Stop crying like a baby. Just get up and fight.

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Cyrus

Jul 05, 2015 05:21am

@Talha .... Ireland is one of the premier field hockey teams in the world. Your coaches should have warned the team of the danger, if they knew.

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Cyrus

Jul 05, 2015 05:22am

@Shahzad ... Everyone would have to agree with you.

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Cyrus

Jul 05, 2015 05:25am

@Ali Vaqar Awan .... They tried their hardest holding Ireland to only one goal.

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Cyrus

Jul 05, 2015 05:26am

@rathorew .... Food for thought.

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Cyrus

Jul 05, 2015 05:34am

@Iqbal .... Better food and vitamins build stronger players. So does weight training.

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Cyrus

Jul 05, 2015 05:35am

@Well wisher .... !!!!

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Cyrus

Jul 05, 2015 05:37am

@AHMET ABDULAZIZ .... ***** five stars.

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Cyrus

Jul 05, 2015 05:40am

@SachBol ..... I can think of two billionaire families in Islamabad who could sponsor field hockey.

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Cyrus

Jul 05, 2015 05:51am

@Raja Parekh .... One billion Indians can't be wrong.

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abdul Majid

Jul 05, 2015 10:11am

@rk singh You are a dreamer my friend

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Hariharan

Jul 05, 2015 10:43am

Sir I saw the match on TV and feel Pakistan deserves win. But seriously, is it a society issue i.e. prioritization? Cricket also, with good players, Pakistan continues to slide. Is it misplaced priorities? This needs serious introspection. I advocate, to start with, Hockey Matches between India and Pakistan. It will be a win-win situation for both. Hockey is also suffering in India heavily.

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Jul 05, 2015 11:03am

Why are they playing during Ramadan?

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