LAHORE: Regretting the national team’s dismal performance in the just-concluded Asia Cup, former Olympian Manzoor-ul-Hassan has blasted the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) urging them to ‘forget the 2018 World Cup’ and plan for the Asian Games and 2020 Olympics.

On Sunday, former three-time Asia Cup champions Pakistan finished a poor third in the eight-nation continental event staged in Dhaka, as the green-shirts finally woke up from deep slumber to overwhelm South Korea 6-3 in the third-place playoff.

“It would be better for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to forget the 2018 World Cup, and focus on the next Asian Games and 2020 Olympics,” said Manzoor while talking to Dawn on Monday.

“Pakistan have descended to the 14th spot [in rankings] and the way they [PHF] are doing their job, we should forget a better future for our hockey,” lamented fullback Manzoor, dubbed as Mr Reliable and Great Wall of China, during his illustrious international career from 1973 to 1982.

“It will be better to bring in new persons [for running the hockey affairs] who work with clean intentions because [it seems] the body language of the incumbent PHF regime does not align with the goals as it has set other aims, ignoring the main target of hockey,” bemoaned Manzoor who scored 101 goals for Pakistan in 154 matches.

“Shahbaz Ahmed Senior [current PHF secretary] claims that he has been the best hockey player produced by Pakistan and no other player can match his skills. However, I reckon worst damage was caused to our hockey during his tenure,” insisted Manzoor.

“What has this PHF management done with a great and respectful name of Nishan-e-Haider, using it for a tournament [held recently in Karachi] inviting club-level players to feature in it?” he asked.

“Instead of giving top priority to preparing the national team for high-profile events like the World Cup and the Asia Cup, the PHF has paid its attention on forming the development squad and on other useless activities, proving it has no clear vision to resurrect Pakistan hockey,” condemned Manzoor.

Asked if the foreign coaches could be a solution for Pakistan as local coaches had failed one after the other, Manzoor reckoned no foreign coach could produce positive results, adding the first and foremost element for getting desired results was that PHF officials work with a clean will.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2017