Pakistan hockey team enters Asian Champions Trophy with uncertainty

Pakistan’s hockey scene continues to struggle, with authorities unable to revive the sport that once brought the nation immense pride. 

Despite a few promising moments earlier this year, the Green Shirts are once again facing uncertainty as they prepare for the Asian Champions Trophy in Hulunbuir, China, starting on September 8.

Throughout the year, Pakistan’s hockey team showed glimpses of progress. They secured a silver medal at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and placed fourth in both the Paris Olympics Qualifiers and the FIH Nations Cup. Yet, inconsistency in coaching and a lack of strategic planning have left the team floundering ahead of the tournament.

In recent months, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) brought in Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans to guide the national side. However, despite his expertise, Oltmans refused to continue due to the PHF's failure to offer him a long-term contract. 

The federation had only been compensating him on an event-by-event basis, and financial difficulties were cited as the reason for not securing a more stable arrangement.

With Oltmans out of the picture, former Olympian and ex-captain Tahir Zaman was quickly appointed head coach. Tahir, who previously coached Pakistan, is no stranger to the role but has yet to lead the team to any major victories. 

Despite limited preparation time, as Tahir will only have three days to work with the squad before the tournament kicks off, the PHF saw him as the most convenient option given the circumstances.

The PHF’s financial woes have further complicated the team’s preparations. The federation even faced challenges in covering travel costs for the China tour, underscoring the financial strain that prevented a long-term deal with Oltmans. 

Moreover, key players such as Abdul Rehman Jr, Ahtisham Aslam, and Murtaza Yaqoob are unavailable, as they are committed to European leagues, while Arbaz Ahmed withdrew due to personal reasons.

The tournament will see record four-time champions India defending their title while Malaysia, South Korea (2021 champions), Japan, hosts China, and three-time winners Pakistan will all be vying for the top spot. 

Pakistan will begin their campaign against Malaysia on September 8, followed by matches against South Korea, Japan, China, and India. The top four teams will progress to the semi-finals on September 16, with the final and third-place match scheduled for September 17.