Pakistan hockey must buckle up
Pakistan’s sports bodies need to buckle up and take the Indian shenanigans head-on
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.