Prime Minister demands answers over Pakistan's hockey embarrassment

Published July 4, 2015
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directs the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination to firm up recommendations for the uplift of country's national sport. — Photo: FIH
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directs the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination to firm up recommendations for the uplift of country's national sport. — Photo: FIH

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is also patron-in-chief of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), has expressed concern over the embarrassing performance of the national team in World Hockey League and its failure to qualify for 2016 Rio Olympics.

A day after Pakistan's shock defeat to Ireland, Sharif sought explanation from the PHF and the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination about the dismal state of the national sport and how a three-time Olympic gold medalist had plunged so low.

Read: ‘It’s doomsday for Pakistan hockey’

The premier also asked the ministry to firm up recommendations for the uplift of the sport with an aim to regain its past glory.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the Olympics for the first time in their illustrious hockey history after losing to Ireland 1-0 in the 5-8 position classification match of the Hockey World League in Antwerp, Belgium on Friday.

It was another low for Greenshirts who for the first time in the game's history had failed to qualify for the World Cup last year.

Read: Historic low as Pakistan fail to qualify for Olympics

Pakistan needed to finish at least in the 5th spot at the Hockey World League to have any hopes of getting a ticket to next year's Rio Olympics. But they were once again guilty of not capitalising on opportunities in front of goal.

“This is a dark day for Pakistan,” said Rashid Mehmood, as he left the pitch following Pakistan's defeat.

Opinion

Editorial

Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...
Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...