LAHORE: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Akhtar Rasool on Monday appealed to all former players to unify in order to resurrect the national game instead of criticising each other.

“Hockey cannot be put back on track singlehandedly and we should all gather at one platform to help Pakistan return to its glory days in the sport,” Akhtar told reporters here at the National Hockey Stadium.

“The failure to qualify for the Olympics [for the first time in Pakistan’s history], has saddened us all but we have to unite to achieve our targets,” added the PHF chief who was speaking to the media for the first time since Pakistan failed to reach next year’s Games in Rio de Janeiro following their eighth-place finish in the Hockey World League Semi-finals in June-July.

“It isn’t good that former players aren’t discussing team selection or individual performances but are instead critisising some officials. This isn’t the right way to occupy the PHF as only a constitutional change can do that.”

Akhtar added that the PHF was unable to complete its preparation plan for the HWL Semi-Finals due to paucity of funds.

“We didn’t play in the Azlan Shah Cup and failed in touring Spain whilst reaching Belgium [for the HWL Semi-Finals] just five days prior to the event and that too thanks to a helping hand lent by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB),” he said.

He denied the impression that he had lost the confidence of the Prime Minister, who despite being PHF’s Patron-in-Chief, did not issue the annual grant to the federation.

“The Prime Minister is my political leader and if he wants me to resign, I’ll do that without any hesitation,” Akhtar said. “If anyone assures me that hockey can improve without me, I’m willing to leave.”

Despite their Olympic heartbreak Pakistan hockey team fared relatively well in recent past, playing three finals in a row last year at the Asian Games, Asian Champions Trophy and the FIH Champions Trophy.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2015

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