Hockey: The coach should be here with the team, says former Olympian

Former captain Tahir Zaman questions PHF’s policy, contract with Heuvel.

LAHORE:

Former captain and Olympian Tahir Zaman has questioned national coach Michel van dan Heuvel’s approach towards the hockey team and has asked the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to look into the Dutch’s tactics and strategies.

Zaman was concerned by Heuvel opting to send in his tactics via emails and CDs instead of being based in Pakistan where he can attend camps and domestic events. Those reasons, according to Zaman, have led to the team’s downfall in world hockey.

“How do you explain the fact that teams like New Zealand, South Africa and Belgium are now playing better hockey than us,” Zaman told The Express Tribune. “The answer is that we’re working on a wrong plan. We’re yet to highlight grey areas that need fixing.

“Pakistan hockey doesn’t work in the same way as the European system where the coach sends an email and CDs containing match tactics and his planning. Here, the coach has to be with the team to guide them.

“Like many others who are also concerned with the way Pakistan hockey is lagging behind, I am also looking for an answer from the PHF on signing a coach with the terms that he only joins the team on series and tours.”

The former captain also emphasised the importance of involving private academies in the PHF organised competitions in order to improve the backup pool of players.

“In the academy tournament, the PHF doesn’t allow all of their academies to take part since the standards vary greatly. The players are also not well looked after. One should ask them whether they’re getting what they should, including a proper diet that is seldom seen in district academies.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2011.