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The worrying decline of hockey in Pakistan
Thu, Mar 06, 08 11:29 Moiz Khan
Pakistan's national hockey team - as it should be! (Gettyimages.com)Poor infrastructure, bad adminstration, lack of synthetic pitches - all add up a fading national game.
'The Pakistan Hockey Federation is run by unprofessional individuals. Decision makers are not equipped with the technical know-how of the modern game'After all the controversy surrounding the Pakistan cricket team, one wonders where the players of our national hockey team are these days.
Hockey is the national game of Pakistan but it rarely seems to stir any chords of interest with the general public. It seems to have lost all its charisma and charm of bygone days.
It was not this way 20 years ago. Then our hockey team had celebrity status and most members occupied centre stage in the collective fan following. Pakistan hockey has a glorious past that to this day remains unmatched by any other hockey-playing nation in the world.
They won the World Hockey Cup in four of 11 attempts, the Champions Trophy three times and the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on three occasions. Not only this, Pakistan have won three gold, three silver and two bronze medals for field hockey in the Olympics. Pakistan hockey achieved its pinnacle in the mid 80s but since then it has been a downhill process. As things stand at present, the national team holds no major title.
What are the reasons for the decline? For a start, the game lacks a proper physical infrastructure. The Pakistan Hockey Federation is run by unprofessional individuals. Decision makers are not equipped with the technical know-how of the modern game. Funds are often misused and misappropriated at high and low levels.
Pakistani hockey officials lack all the necessary training required to guide the talent in the right direction. Hockey is no longer a part-time game but a sport that requires total and unconditional commitment both inside and outside the ground. It requires years of planning and use of complicated equipment to train the players. Our hockey federation cannot comprehend the requirements of the modern-day game.
The other big problem with development of hockey in Pakistan is the lack of good quality Astroturf pitches. Access to such grounds is not possible for a many players at the local level. In Pakistan most of the pros use synthetic surfaces once their technique has matured.
The small city of Gojra has contributed the biggest number of players to our national team, but it is sad to note that the city has only one such field and that is not sufficient to provide room for all the budding players in the city.
Summers in Pakistan are particularly harsh and often a deterrent for those wanting to play. Physical fitness is a top priority, as most training complexes are not shielded from the hot sun. Players have to be able to fill multiple roles and have a good idea of the game going on around him. The situation on the ground changes and only good teams can take the mental stress.
A lead of two or three goals is immaterial. All that matters is the teams ability to take the mental pressure in the positive frame of mind. Instead of complaining about the situation we need to adjust according to the new standards.
Hockey has also been fading from TV screens all over the globe. This problem is evident in Pakistan where a responsible media of should actively promote healthy activities and the countrys national sport. But media interest will only be generated by a few good wins here and there.
The future of field hockey in Pakistan is bleak. Bold efforts are needed by those who are in charge the game. If we want our younger generation to indulge in this beautiful game we have to carve out our game plan very carefully.
Thu, Mar 06, 08 11:29 Moiz Khan
Pakistan's national hockey team - as it should be! (Gettyimages.com)Poor infrastructure, bad adminstration, lack of synthetic pitches - all add up a fading national game.
'The Pakistan Hockey Federation is run by unprofessional individuals. Decision makers are not equipped with the technical know-how of the modern game'After all the controversy surrounding the Pakistan cricket team, one wonders where the players of our national hockey team are these days.
Hockey is the national game of Pakistan but it rarely seems to stir any chords of interest with the general public. It seems to have lost all its charisma and charm of bygone days.
It was not this way 20 years ago. Then our hockey team had celebrity status and most members occupied centre stage in the collective fan following. Pakistan hockey has a glorious past that to this day remains unmatched by any other hockey-playing nation in the world.
They won the World Hockey Cup in four of 11 attempts, the Champions Trophy three times and the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on three occasions. Not only this, Pakistan have won three gold, three silver and two bronze medals for field hockey in the Olympics. Pakistan hockey achieved its pinnacle in the mid 80s but since then it has been a downhill process. As things stand at present, the national team holds no major title.
What are the reasons for the decline? For a start, the game lacks a proper physical infrastructure. The Pakistan Hockey Federation is run by unprofessional individuals. Decision makers are not equipped with the technical know-how of the modern game. Funds are often misused and misappropriated at high and low levels.
Pakistani hockey officials lack all the necessary training required to guide the talent in the right direction. Hockey is no longer a part-time game but a sport that requires total and unconditional commitment both inside and outside the ground. It requires years of planning and use of complicated equipment to train the players. Our hockey federation cannot comprehend the requirements of the modern-day game.
The other big problem with development of hockey in Pakistan is the lack of good quality Astroturf pitches. Access to such grounds is not possible for a many players at the local level. In Pakistan most of the pros use synthetic surfaces once their technique has matured.
The small city of Gojra has contributed the biggest number of players to our national team, but it is sad to note that the city has only one such field and that is not sufficient to provide room for all the budding players in the city.
Summers in Pakistan are particularly harsh and often a deterrent for those wanting to play. Physical fitness is a top priority, as most training complexes are not shielded from the hot sun. Players have to be able to fill multiple roles and have a good idea of the game going on around him. The situation on the ground changes and only good teams can take the mental stress.
A lead of two or three goals is immaterial. All that matters is the teams ability to take the mental pressure in the positive frame of mind. Instead of complaining about the situation we need to adjust according to the new standards.
Hockey has also been fading from TV screens all over the globe. This problem is evident in Pakistan where a responsible media of should actively promote healthy activities and the countrys national sport. But media interest will only be generated by a few good wins here and there.
The future of field hockey in Pakistan is bleak. Bold efforts are needed by those who are in charge the game. If we want our younger generation to indulge in this beautiful game we have to carve out our game plan very carefully.
