Pakistan

Nawaz slams Pakistan hockey team's 'embarrassing' performance

Nawaz questions performance in the wake of Pakistan failing to qualify for Olympics 2016 for first time in history

Abdul Manan July 04, 2015

PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday expressed concern over the performance of the country’s hockey team in the World Hockey League.

The premier, who is also patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, said the team’s performance in 2016 Rio Olympics qualifiers was embarrassing.

Read: FIH Hockey World League: From gold dreams to black eyes — the men in green story

He sought explanation from officials from the federation and the sports ministry and questioned how a three-time gold medalist team performed so poorly. He then directed them to work on bettering their performance and regain the national sport’s faded glory.

Earlier on Thursday, Pakistan lost 1-0 to Ireland in the FIH Hockey World League Semi-finals. As a result, for the first time in their illustrious history, the Pakistan hockey team failed to qualify for the Olympics.

The men in green knew that nothing less than a win against 15th ranked Ireland in Antwerp, Belgium on Friday would suffice as they bid to finish fifth and retain any slim hope of qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Read: National junior hockey in doldrums

Despite the pressure, the side started off well and looked the better side at the start — bossing possession with 58% and receiving a penalty corner that was defended well by Kyle Good.

Pakistan also came close in the second quarter, with vice-captain Shafqat Rasool hitting an upright reverse shot just wide off the mark in the 17th minute.

COMMENTS (22)

Asad | 9 years ago | Reply FYI, meanwhile the cricket team is also struggling to qualify for Champions Trophy... just saying...

cautious | 9 years ago | Reply Shame on Sharif -- PM job is to inspire not to condemn players. Can you image any other World leader taking the time to condemn his own team which lost a competition? Like most Pakistani politicians including Sharif, IK and Zardari - they don't lead they pander to populous sentiment.

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Woz Ahmed | 9 years ago | Reply @S.R.H. Hashmi: Sadly my friend, we have met India thrice in an Olympic final and we have only won once in 1960. To be honest most of our budget goes to defence spending, both official and unofficial, e.g pensions are excluded as are defence share of the debt we have run up. I would happily stop all sports spending for education and health, sports is fun, but we have other priorities.

Dilshad | 9 years ago | Reply PM takes notice? The media had been yelling all around on the state of affairs for last so many months and PM and his magician accountant a.k.a Mr. Ishaq Dar didn't have a penny to give them. Malik Riaz funded them for taking part in Sultan Azlan Shah tournament while how much was increased for PM's food? Now he takes notice? Isn't it mocking the nation straight in its face?

atif | 9 years ago | Reply I am yet again dissappointed by the utter lack of objectivity and callous natur of remarks. What is more concerning for me as a Pakistani is not nawaz or imran orwho ever you follow. it is the lack of tolerence and logical thinking, so glaringly obvious on social media.

Shaheer | 9 years ago | Reply All of these comments here show the dismal state of Pakistani themselves. Even when the PM does something, it's wrong, when he doesn't do something they question him about his involvement and when he finally finds the middle ground on a third issue, the people start questioning his rule. Wow just wow

M A Mujeeb | 9 years ago | Reply Besides mismanagement at all levels, one big contributory factor of Pakistan's poor show is that the European teams have improved their performances manifold during the past 30 years or so. Astro turf does not suit the subcontinent teams like Pakistan and India as they do not possess the physique, fitness and stamina required to play on Astro turf where the pace of the game is very fast compared to grassy grounds of which we were champions.. Pakistan lost to Ireland 0-1 and India lost to Belgium 0-4 are good examples to substantiate my observation.

S.R.H. Hashmi | 9 years ago | Reply I remember the good days when the final match for the Olympic gold medal used to be played between Pakistan and India, with Pakistan often coming up as the winner. And comparing that performance level with the present one when Pakistan hockey team could not even qualify for the Olympic put me, and of course all Pakistanis, in a deep state of shock. If Pakistan team lost in the final, semi-final or even quarter-final, one would still have some consolation that at least it went part of the way. But failing even to qualify for an entry in the Olympics is a real disgrace indeed. And while looking for the reasons for this phenomenal fall, I learned that Mian Nawaz Sharif happens to be the patron-in-chief of Pakistan hockey Federation, and that explained it all. Of course with a patron-in-chiefs like that, what else could one expect? Obviously, with Nawaz as P-in-C, the state and fate of hockey could not be any better than that of the country. So, I don’t really know what all the fuss is about? Karachi

curious2 | 9 years ago | Reply It's a sport and someone has to win/lose. If your team played to the best of their abilities then you should be congratulating them rather than condemning. them.

such bolta hoon | 9 years ago | Reply Nawaz Sharon Sahib, Please come out your own world. It's not rocket science to understand that the 'three-time gold medalist team' failed to deliver because it wasn't the same team that had dedication, commitment and was selected on merit.

Sajjad Ashraf | 9 years ago | Reply Endorse all that is said earlier Mr.PM. Even the cricket team is doing no better Reflection of the country's state of mind. Total depression while the junta continues to spread lies and make money.

Aam Admi Bechara | 9 years ago | Reply Why doesn't he take action against the fat corrupt rats devouring Pakistan hockey like Qasim Zia, Akhtar Rasoo, Asim Bajwa ???

Jawad U Rahman | 9 years ago | Reply How about showing some true leadership. Instead of 'slamming', start a massive rethink and overhaul of sports in Pakistan. Increase funding manifolds, build world class facilities in every town in every province, create sports scholarships in all major universities, bring international coaches, privatize sports leagues for all major sports, and reward all sports not just cricket etc.

bash gul | 9 years ago | Reply The PM should investigate the lifestyles of the PHF officials. No one mentioned how much stipend and perks are available to the players. This time too the PM along with the officials of PHF will be given a clean chit by some kangaroo investigating team.

Mrs Juicy Gossips | 9 years ago | Reply @Parvez: How about "taken notice" (whatever that means) on this and that, AFTER THE FACT, ad nauseum. Well Mr PM, you are supposed to TAKE NOTICE pro actively and preemptively, not just sit around on a cushy chair and shoot the breeze with generalismo pace-stick. And how about funding a proper sports and recreation infrastucture instead of expecting miracles out of thin air, lest you want to get further embarrassed by the country's performance in future events, notably the Olympics, Asian Games and even SAARC games.

Sajid | 9 years ago | Reply One reason is Akhtar Rasool but PM has close ties with him

A-No.1 | 9 years ago | Reply Mr PM, this is a reflection of the state of affairs and you are the CEO. Please accept blame.

Javed Iqbal | 9 years ago | Reply Our present rulers are habitual to take notice / form committee, commission on issues for cheating the public. Before this tournament PHF has no funds in their pocket for participation in this competition as well as for hockey players /grounds. Our Government wishes best performance by our players in international arena after playing locally on roads & uneven fields & mere drinking mineral water with salt. SHAME ON RULERS NOT ON PLAYERS,

Pakistan | 9 years ago | Reply What about the performance of the Prime Minister himself? And his Water and Power Ministers and his Railway Minister and Ishaq Dar. The list is endless.

Mulana Diesel | 9 years ago | Reply Good Mr PM, Pakistan's plight is no different from its hockey. Lead Pakistan through the best and I can assure you will win everywhere.

Parvez | 9 years ago | Reply Rubbish, Nawaz is incapable of slamming anything especially if corruption is involved........all he has done is constituted a ' committee '........and everyon knows what that means.

Burki | 9 years ago | Reply Instead of lashing out at hockey team's performance, how about Nawaz take stock of the pathetic miserable performance of his own government for the past 2 years and admit his failures. Ever deteriorating law & order situation throughout the country, fuel shortage crisis, long hours of load shedding, imposition of new taxes and surcharges to cover up own failures - these have been his gifts to the people of Pakistan and yet he has the guts to call out hockey team for failure to qualify for Olympics.

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