SHAFAQNA PAKISTAN (Shia News Agency)
Pakistan hockey team is almost over. It has fallen to lowest standards compared to world teams. Except winning against India in Asian games, Pakistan hockey team could not show satisfactory performance since 2010. Most of the ex-Olympians and sports experts put all the blame on financial restraints for the poor performances shown on the hockey field — those factors are legit — but skill and ability must also be taken into some account. Hockey being Pakistan’s national game has been more of an embarrassment for the country lately, the failure to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in the game’s history is an unforgiving blot on the Greenshirts. But should everything be put down to the financial troubles? Over the years, Pakistan has not only lost its ‘golden touch’, something which experts used to describe Pakistan’s style of playing, but also confidence and self-belief. Pakistan, who won the World Cup in 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994, had finished 11th at the 1986 tournament in London. 2010 was their worst-ever showing. The television screens sounded the death knell, ex-captains called press conferences, review committees were made and a couple of individuals lost their jobs.
The practice of the ruling governments to install their own men in top positions during their terms, merit and acumen is hardly a criteria. Various prominent former Olympians like Islahuddin Siddiqui, Shahnaz Sheikh, Samiullah Khan along with others termed those elections bogus, the result of which is for everyone to see.
Whether it is cricket or Hockey, politics should be kept away from it. Until and Unless people on pure merit would not be appointed on key posts in sports federations and boards, this journey of shame would continue.
pakistan.shafaqna.com
