The neglected sport needs a good coach

Football does not get required attention, the amount it deserves to become a privileged sport like cricket and hockey.

It is unfortunate that football holds low priority in Pakistan. The game does not get the required attention, the amount it deserves to become a privileged sport like cricket and hockey. Patronage, promotion, finances, spectatorship and exposure are all missing components.

However, the most unfortunate fact about the sport’s demise is the lack of interest shown by the authorities. An unofficial report states that the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) intends to hire a local coach for the national outfit. Though still unconfirmed, the PFF seems likely to go ahead, an act that may push Pakistan football further in the gloom.

Foreign vs qualified

Only high-profile coaches can lift the standard of the game in developing nations but unfortunately there are neither any qualified coaches in the country nor is the appointment the PFF’s top priority. The federation has even failed to differentiate between a foreign coach and a qualified coach. At a time when the game is gaining popularity, the federation must invest in coaching to bring much-needed improvements in the national team.

Earlier, the PFF hired the Austrian George Kottan but he fared poorly. It seemed as if Kottan was largely responsible for dissuading the PFF from getting the services of foreign coaches. However, the PFF has never been serious in the development of football even when it appointed Kotten as the head coach. Prior to his appointment, serious concerns were  raised over his qualifications and experience.

Not a  tactician

However, for the PFF, Kotten was an ideal candidate as they needed a puppet in their hands rather than a tactician. Lack of good knowledge and a limited profile, he was a perfect choice for the PFF which wanted him to follow prescribed guidelines.

A national coach should be independent to run the team affairs but in his case, he was found only a yes-man of the PFF, which ruined Pakistan football.

It is an open secret that politics rule over merit and sincerity in the current set-up. Talented players from Karachi were ignored and bans were imposed on the city’s stadiums. Europeans, too young to handle the pressure of international football, were preferred over experienced players, which led to the exit of Muhammad Essa and Jaffar Khan.

Asian Games snub

Continuous dismal performances compelled the Pakistan Olympic Association to discard football from the Asian Games bound contingent. But the PFF does not want to realise that football development needs professional expertise. The local coaches in the PFF setup have limited qualification and experience to manage domestic squads and the national team. They also lack modern knowledge and the advanced coaching manuals that are essential for the team’s improvement and success.



M Wasim is a sports writer

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd, 2010.