How to stem and rescue our hockey decline

Fitness, which seems to be missing in Pakistan's team, is an attitude that needs to be instilled in one’s...

Following a win over Malaysia, the Pakistan hockey team ended third in the recently-concluded Asia Cup but was still unable to book itself a place at next year’s World Cup. Its fate was sealed after a loss at the hands of South Korea a day before and meant that the national side was unable to qualify for the mega event for the first time in a history that boasts of honours, laurels and eras of domination. But Pakistan’s downslide didn’t just start with the Asia Cup. The rot had started way before.

It’s widely known and accepted that the Pakistan team members are a rather unfit bunch of players compared with players of countries ranked above them. In fact, the fitness of players and team rankings are two aspects that are highly correlated. An unfit bunch of players will never be able to improve their side’s ranking, which is a measure of sustained consistency, and a top team will not include players, who are lagging behind in fitness. In Pakistan’s case — and this argument has been backed by very vocal Olympians — the players have been unable to match the fitness standards with the rest of the world. Hockey has seen drastic changes over the years. The sport has evolved into a much more quick-paced one with Astroturf taking over the traditional style of field, meaning the players have to be on their toes — quite literally — to make any sort of impact during a game.

The argument then inevitably goes to solutions that involve organising training camps ahead of a major tournament with the notion — or rather hope — that a few days would be enough to improve the players’ fitness. It’s true that such camps help. But a sustained level of fitness that stretches over the entire length of a tournament can never be achieved with just a few days of drills and exercises. Fitness is also an attitude that needs to be instilled in one’s character at an early age. Sadly, this has not been the case when it comes to Pakistan hockey.

Olympians and critics have for long complained about the decline in standards of Pakistan’s hockey. The truth is that the fan base of the game has dwindled over the years. When there are fewer eyes monitoring the results of the national team, one can get away with poor performances. In other words, the accountability factor — or being answerable to fans — can also, in some cases, mean less motivation to do well. Add to this, the meagre salaries that are paid to our hockey players and there is very little incentive to stretch oneself and go beyond the limits on the field.

These problems have persistently plagued the national team and have become part of its baggage when it tours — which it does a lot since teams are reluctant to travel to this part of the world — and no matter how many times this has been identified, the acceptance of failure has become the norm.

Senior-level officials are scared of taking tough decisions and the players are no different. A risk-averse strategy seems to have been permanently put in place, with only short-term goals in mind. It is time the officials concerned took responsibility for the fiasco and stepped down. If they do not want to do this, then they must get their act together and devise a long-term plan to initiate the revival of Pakistan hockey. Funds need to be injected and utilised properly. The sport needs to start developing at the grassroots level with prime focus on fitness and most of the senior players need to go. Hiring a foreign coach won’t work. What will work is selecting a fit bunch of players. The process seems lengthy and painful but following long-term sustainable goals requires sacrifice. There is no shortcut to hard work or developing a tough attitude.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2013.

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