Pakistan hockey, managed by unqualified "favourites", was buried alive for atleast another four years in the most appropriate place, the ancient ruins of Athens , following the worst-ever defeat suffered at the hands of Spain.
A fifth place in the 12-team contest is what Pakistan achieved despite tall claims by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) officials and the expensively-assembled five-man foreign experts think-tank that the team was primed to regain its lost glory and grab the gold.
For the fifth consecutive Olympics Pakistan was unable to earn the elusive gold, last won in 1984. In this span of two decades Pakistan's best effort was a bronze earned at Barcelona in 1992.
Dutchman Roelant Oltmans and his four European officials have cost the PHF more than Rs10m since their appointment in an effort to turn the unpredictable lot into a gold-winning combination. Ironically the PHF, a bankrupt organisation, survives on dole money forked out by public sector enterprises.
Who is to blame for this debacle? Unfortunately it is not in our culture to accept responsibility for reverses and setbacks. As in the past everyone associated with the team is passing the blame to others.
Already the officials are claiming that they are looking forward to the next important assignment, the Champions Trophy, later this year.
After every failure, the PHF has a ready-made answer that the past is now behind them and they are preparing to get their act together to win the next major tournament.This has been the story of Pakistan hockey since the present management took charge.
While the responsibility for the dismal Athens show should be shouldered by everyone involved in the preparation of the team the major burden must be borne by the PHF officials who for the past four years have tried to hoodwink the nation by false claims and in the process plunged Pakistan hockey to its lowest depth failing to win a single noteworthy competition.
Besides, under the present PHF management Pakistan has suffered its worst-ever defeats against such lowly oppositions as New Zealand, India and now Spain. To make the situation even worse, Pakistan for the first time in its history had to play qualifying rounds to ensure a place in Athens.
This has been the balance sheet of the present PHF for the four murky and hmiliating years of the nation which ruled the sport.
Once proud holders of all major hockey titles, Pakistan today is regarded amongst also rans. The last occasion the green shirts won a major title was in 1994 and unless the hockey is managed by professionals sincere to the game's cause the prospect of resurrection of the past giant's in four years time in Bejing looks remote.
