KARACHI: Pakistan has been relegated to an all-time low of 17th in latest world ranking released by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), a fall of five slots.

While heads rolled when Pakistan performed dismally for the first time ever at an international event — an 11th-placed finish at the 1986 London World Cup — there seems no alarm nowadays.

No changes have been made in the corridors of the power of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). That too, at a time when accountability has picked up momentum against alleged corruption by politicians and other influential persons in the country.

It raises several questions why the government remains silent on this issue. Why a sport that has brought so much glory to the country has been left to rot.

Imran Khan’s government is about to complete a year in power but no remedial measures have been announced to bring the national game back on track.

Instead of stepping down by taking the responsibility, PHF president retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar remains glued to his seat. To spare himself from criticism, Khokhar removed PHF secretary former Olympian Shahbaz Ahmed Sr and brought in another ex-Olympian Asif Bajwa, who remained involved in alleged corrupt practices and human smuggling during his first tenure from 2008 to 2013.

A war of words ensued between Khokhar and Shahbaz after the former said he had accepted resignation while the latter denied that he has resigned.

The whole PHF is in disarray and needs immediate reform. Former players who have served once or more in various capacities should be barred whenever a new set up is formed.

Meanwhile, Australia and Belgium have swapped top positions in the rankings with arch-rivals India fifth.

Latest FIH rankings: 1-Australia, 2-Belgium, 3-Netherlands, 4-Argentina, 5-India, 6-England, 7-Germany, 8-New Zealand, 9-Spain, 10-Canada, 11-Ireland, 12-Malaysia, 13-France, 14-South Africa, 15- South Korea, 16-Japan 17-Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2019