Hat-trick of humiliation

There seems to be no rescue from abyss of humiliation our hockey has fallen into

There seems to be no rescue from the abyss of humiliation our hockey has fallen into. It is rather sinking down the depth with the passing time. Pakistan, the three-time Olympic champion, have failed to qualify for 2024 Paris Olympics, clinching a hat-trick of failed quests. The gold medallists of 1960 (Rome), 1968 (Mexico City) and 1984 (Los Angeles) were also unable to secure a spot in 2016 Rio Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

While the top three finishers at the qualifying tournament, played at Muscat, were guaranteed a spot at the Paris Games – set to take place in July and August of this year – Pakistan failed to make the cut, losing to New Zealand 3-2 in the third/fourth place match. Before that, the Germans cleaned them 4-0 in the semi-final encounter. In the round games too, the national team’s performance was not convincing even against the second and third rated teams. The Green Shirts were thumped by Great Britain 6-1 and drew to Malaysia 3-3. The sole victory in the entire tournament came against minnows China by a score of 2-0.

A lot has been written on the free fall that our hockey has been suffering from for at least three decades. Year 1994 was the last time Pakistan had made it to the victory stand. They had won the World Cup and Champions Trophy in the mentioned year, after 12 and 14 years respectively. Since then there has been a disgraceful drought. There is need for the authorities to think out of the box. A few steps, however, are a must such as investing in grassroots infrastructure; adopting modern modes of coaching and training, preferably under foreign experts; and roping in sponsors on the pattern of PSL so as to popularise the national sport.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2024.

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