“Where are we heading next? I can only foresee a further decline,” lamented Mohammad Imran. PHOTO: FILE
Most of the players, according to the seasoned team leader, rejected offers from foreign leagues to ensure their presence for the national camp ahead of the tournament which is set to take place in Malaysia from March 13.
The PHF pulled out of the event due to a lack of funds as the federation is yet to receive a promised grant of Rs100 million from Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Dejected at the withdrawal, Imran, who led the side to a win in the Asian Champions Trophy in November 2013 – Pakistan’s last international assignment – said the players’ isolation from international events may result in further decline in the team’s standing (number eight).
“We have been confined to individual training for months,” Imran told The Express Tribune.
“I am among the ones who refused offers from leagues abroad to attend the national training camp. But we came to know that the camp could not be held due to a lack of funds.
“We are not going to the Azlan Shah Cup, while our participation in the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games [this year] is still in jeopardy.
“Where are we heading next? I can only foresee a further decline,” lamented the senior defender.
‘Youngsters can help us bounce back’
Pakistan, the four-time champions, failed to qualify for the World Cup (this year in the Netherlands) for the first time in their rich hockey history.
“It was a disaster by all means, but it is still not the end of the world. We can bounce back because we still have the talent.
“The youngsters we tried at the Asian Champions’ Trophy showed a lot of potential. These players can help us win in the days ahead.”
“The 2016 Olympics is not far and we can compensate on our failures by winning a medal there, which is not impossible.
“All these youngsters need is motivation,” said Imran before requesting authorities’ attention towards the national sport.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2014.
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