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ISLAMABAD: The success of the recently concluded Super Eight T20 cricket tournament in Faisalabad has impressed former Olympian Shehnaz Sheikh, who feels that Pakistan Hockey Federation should follow in the footsteps of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and organize more and more domestic events until international hockey returns to the country.
The Iqbal Cricket Stadium in Faisalabad was jam-packed on Friday with thousands more clamouring outside the stadium to get in for the final that saw the Rawalpindi Rams crushing Karachi Dolphins.
“Hockey is not popular in our schools and colleges despite being the national game. We find cricket grounds full in our towns and cities, whereas hockey grounds generally give a deserted look,” Sheikh told APP on Sunday.
He was of the view that hockey had lost its appeal for youngsters and domestic tournaments would help revitalize interest in the game.
“The PHF can learn from the PCB. The international teams are reluctant to visit Pakistan but the board is arranging domestic tournaments, thus creating a sense of competition among youngsters and keeping public interest alive in the game,” he added.
Shehnaz proposed to PHF to request International Hockey Federation (FIH) to persuade different countries to send their junior teams to Pakistan.
“Unless they (PHF) do this, the standard of hockey will not improve in the country,” he said.
He was also concerned about the performance of junior team in the recently held Junior Asian Cup in Singapore saying, “finishing third in the event was alarming.”
“The PHF has been making tall claims for the past three years about the academies it set up for juniors. But the result in Junior Asia Cup shows things are not moving in right direction at the grass-roots level.”
He said at present five to six players in the national team were in the twilight of their career and hence could be called 'bonus players'.
“Ultimately, the juniors will have to replace them. But their (junior’s) performance shows they are lacking certain techniques and skills. The PHF must pay serious attention towards the grey areas in the junior team.”
However, he agreed that the senior team had taken some strides forward and Pakistan were once again becoming a potent force on the international arena.
Commenting upon Pakistan's 2-1 defeat against Germany at Amsterdam, Netherlands on Friday in the four-nation tournament, he said Pakistan fought well but they needed to plug in loopholes in their defence besides adopting an aggressive approach.
“Pakistan are facing world's best sides in the tournament and a respectable finish in the event will boost team's confidence ahead of the Champions Trophy in New Delhi at the end of the year,” he said.
