LAHORE: Former Pakistan player Khalid Hameed urged all the Olympians to come at one platform just for the betterment of the national game of hockey, otherwise, the country will experience more decline in the future.

“All Olympians should come together with only point — improve the falling standards of Pakistan hockey. I think one of the reasons behind this disaster is infighting among the Olympians and that should be stopped forthwith,” Khalid, a member of 1984 gold medal-winning squad, told Dawn on Wednesday. “All [of us] should come forward to discuss ways and means how to stop the decline.

“In my view very Olympian has had been a great player of his era. But now it is difficult for any particular Olympian to set the tone. However we must put our differences behind to work together just for the betterment of the game.”

Khalid, who was also a member of the national side that won the Asia Cup in 1985, said the PHF should take initiative to invite the Olympians.

He hit out at the federation for its failure in not for sending the team for the FIH Pro League, while adding the government’s apathy was also responsible for it.

“If the government is unwilling to release funds for such big events then it will not easy for any federation to fulfill the international commitments,” he said.

The PHF, he added, should also work hard to establish its own marketing department to attract sponsors.

Khalid commented that although India, despite making heavy investment on their national team, were still struggling to reach the top in international hockey to end the domination of the European teams.

“In the 1986 World Cup both Pakistan and India occupied the last two places among the 12 nations. But look now India have improved their position to fifth and this is the result of long-term efforts of their hockey federation,” he remarked. “Moreover, our players also lack in physical fitness. And this can be judged by their play in recent years. At the start of almost every game they play very well but come second half, they run out of steam.

“We hired foreign trainers for shorter period when it should have been a long-term plan,” he added.

Khalid further said the reason behind European teams’ domination in hockey was because of their super fitness throughout.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2019