THERE have been very few voices about the plight of our national game — hockey — which has been on the death bed for a very long time. Its importance for Pakistanis is more than cricket. Hockey is the only sport which has given the nation gold, silver and bronze medals at the Olympics.

Just look at the show of the national team over the last couple of years.

Pakistan had their worst ever defeat in international hockey — 9-1 loss — to Australia in November 2017 at International Festival of Hockey in Melbourne, Australia.

We had the worst ever 7-1 defeat against India in June 2017 at Hockey World League in London followed by 6-1 humiliation against the same team in the same event, a few days later. In the last 10 matches against India, Pakistan lost all barring one, which was a draw.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the Youth Olympics for the first time after finishing a miserable sixth at the qualifiers in Bangkok in April 2018. They also suffered 12-1 defeat against Malaysia during these qualifiers.

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) repeatedly declared Asian Games 2018 as ‘the target for winning gold’ which would have been direct qualification for the Olympics 2020. What to talk of a gold, Pakistan ended fourth.

Pakistan managed to qualify for this World Cup after failing to do so at the previous edition in 2014. But their qualification was only because of the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) decision to increase the number of teams from 12 to 16. Pakistan, however, finished 12th, equalling the worst-ever finish, scored just two goals, their lowest World Cup tally.

As things stand, Pakistan’s chances to even qualify for the 2020 Olympics are almost over.

The prime minister’s interest in cricket is understandable, but it is hockey which requires his immediate intervention.

Ijaz Chaudhry

Lahore

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2019