THE words of captain Ammad Butt after Pakistan’s loss to New Zealand on Sunday spoke volumes about the state of the national game in the country. The 3-2 reverse in the third-place match of the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers tournament in Oman means Pakistan will not be competing at this year’s Paris Olympics — the third straight Games where the three-time gold medallists would be missing in action. With the top three finishers at the tournament set to book a berth at the Paris Games, Pakistan were eight minutes away from clinching a long-awaited return to the Olympics. Leading 2-1 till the 52nd minute, they conceded twice in the space of six minutes to see their dreams shattered. A distraught Ammad said the players were heartbroken but he also said they had given their all, before calling out the ‘injustice’ he and his charges had suffered. The Pakistan Hockey Federation’s miserable state of affairs under recently deposed president retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, as well as its financial struggles, are no secret. Both the players and coaching staff have not received their allowances and contract salaries. The players should not be blamed. They did their best. One hockey commentator stated that Pakistan had given their best defensive performance in years. But it was not enough.

Serious steps are needed to restore Pakistan hockey to its former glory. They should start with sorting out matters pertaining to the PHF. Last month, Brig Khokhar was removed as PHF chief and the tug-of-war for control continues. Brig Khokhar had threatened to go to the International Hockey Federation and get PHF suspended. But the team management for the qualifiers was the one appointed by Tariq Hussain Bugti, installed as PHF chief by the caretaker prime minister. Leadership woes have compounded the problems. Perhaps it would be best if sports management professionals, with a plan to revive hockey, take charge at the PHF.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2024