In what has become a rather unfortunate tradition, the Indian sport federations continue to bully their counterparts from other countries through the unabashed use of their financial muscle and the clout that they enjoy.
The Pakistan hockey team is the latest victims as they paid the price for knocking out India in the semi-final.
Rather shrewdly, Hockey India (HI) succeeded in overcoming the loss of their team at the hands of their bitter rivals in a knock-out game by skewing the attention towards the celebrations of Pakistan players.
Pakistan had tendered an apology soon after the incident and initially, after declining to punish the players, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) caved into the unreasonable demands made by HI President Narendra Batra.
As a result of Batra’s call for action against Pakistan, the FIH slapped sanctions on Muhammad Touseeq and reserve goalkeeper Amjad Ali, with the duo barred from playing the final against Germany. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) chose to comply with the ruling and took the field for the final sans their main playmaker Touseeq.
PHF secretary Rana Mujahid, who himself was a victim of violent crowd behaviour in India 25 years ago, has vowed to take up the case whenever the executive board meets next.
But the final has already been played. Germany soundly defeated Pakistan and India, despite their callous behaviour, continue to rule the roost in hockey.
In the years ahead, Pakistan’s sports bodies need to buckle up and take the Indian shenanigans head-on. The best and perhaps the only way of fighting back is by handing over the reins to those who can take the bull by the horns. India’s financial strength is no license to exercise their authority.
Pakistan must also know that they are not going to be served their rights on a platter; they need to be adequately equipped.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2014.
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Let us not be sanctimonious and take the moral high ground for there is none to be had for either side. Pakistan's players behaved deplorably and were appropriately sanctioned. However, racism and hooliganism in any sport can also not be tolerated. The Indian Hockey Federation needs to consider the boorish behaviour of its own spectators instead of instigating a moral crusade. Equally, the FIH needs to take a cue from FIFA and instigate measures that quell this menace which could threaten the integrity of the sport.
I am former ametuer hockey player and India Pakistan teams are my favorites. I played hockey till my high school, and quit for a more lucrative career. Anyway, I am sure that the Pakistani players, mostly Punjabi, are really gifted and talented, and plays in the same manner that we were taught in Indian Punjab. Open up the field fire attacks, break the defence, and shot at goal with full strength. India-Pakistan match is tough with two sides playing extraordinary hockey. Unfortunately it was let down by controversy, which had become a trademark of any game between the two rivals. First it was the crowds immature action and then the player's reaction. Their reaction had clearly crossed the decency of a game, worth more than it ended up in. It might have been if they had raised it at appropriate level than taking in their hands. India didn't behave like that, when they defeated Pakistan in Asia cup and they ended up winning it. While Pakistan with their immature behave brought down the dignity of the game as well lost two of its valuable players. So the loss in final was self earned. This is another mercurial quality of showing off and try to be better than others, specifically India. Please treat it like a game and not a war. The game will be remembered for long time for all the wrong reasons and set a wrong precedent. I am also quite amazed at the author for inciting the emotional feeling of a nation, rather than looking within self and criticize the wrong. Is somebody listening to the righteous view or fall to another coup attempt of one's mind?
good article. Sore losers India
Perhaps the author thinks that an apology fixes any amount of rabid behavior, not in a civilized world. In this instance the crowd was supportive of Pakistan team against Netherlands and your lads rewarded them by showing middle finger. Next time around how about giving a lesson to your own players than accusing India? Your players misbehaved you paid the price. This would not have happened if your players did not misbehave. Period.
Is this journalism or blind nationalism?
No wonder our country is in such a mess...