Pakistan hockey team has not played well in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. However these matches must have provided much needed experience for players. Hockey team is struggling for many years in Pakistan and it now time for complete overhaul of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).
Despite numerous steps taken by Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) national game has suffered a lot. It is because on grass root level not too many effort has been done. Hockey is a game of 70 minutes and it can become popular in Pakistan just like cricket.
Another defeat for Pakistan in Azlan Shah Cup Hockey. Malaysia beats the Green Shirts 1-0. 4th consecutive defeat for Pakistan in tournament
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) April 13, 2016
If Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) make a grand plan and is run by credible professionals it is not a rocket science to be excel in field on hockey at international level.
Recently PHF announced that hockey team will not be sent to England in June to feature in the Champions Trophy even after getting lucky following the Dutch team’s withdrawal from the tournament. PHF said that we are not sending the team as we want to concentrate on the World Cup.
#Pakistan Hockey Team will not Play Champions Trophy as We r preparing for Worldcup 2018 : #ShahbazSr. Secretary #PHF
What Kind Logic this?
— ShahraM (@ShahramSR) March 13, 2016
[junkie-alert style=”white”] London is scheduled to host the 2016 Champions Trophy, featuring six nations, from 10th June to 17th June [/junkie-alert]
Pakistan’s most successful hockey captain Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui rightly said that “It is so strange to send the boys to Malaysia for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, which is to be played before the Champions Trophy. Won’t going there disturb the players’ concentration and preparation for the World Cup? It is mind boggling really,”
So, is #Hockey still #Pakistan's National Sport?
And what does the state of the sport say about state of the nation? pic.twitter.com/0tE7qNgHt6— Adil Najam (@AdilNajam) April 12, 2016
Playing against tough teams in Champions Trophy would have provided excellent practice for Men In Green but PHF decisions are only understandable to themselves.
By Mubashir Mahmood. He tweets @mubashirmahmood