Daily Times

Hockey is Pakistan’s national sport but is left gasping for survival. Ever dwindling fandom, indisposition of corporate sector towards sponsoring the game, lack of media attention, both by broadcast media and news media, and no government patronage are the major factors contributing towards crippled hockey infrastructure in the country. Pakistan hockey’s free-fall continues as they are playing World Cup qualifying round in England where they plunged to new depths. After having played 3 matches Pakistan had conceded 17 goals and could notch up barely 1. Archrivals India pulverized them by 7-1. But the management thanked its lucky stars as the hammering went unnoticed due to Pakistan cricket team’s crushing triumph against India in the ICC Champions Trophy 17 final, on the same day, stole all the lime-light. No TV-shattering response from the public reported and every single media house found itself swamped in the splendour of stupendous cricketing success and the ensuing celebrations.

A cluster of causes could be set forth which triggered the slide as the most recent is exclusion of experienced players from the all-important tourney. But the irony died when the minister pitched in with a “sweeping solution” – shifting of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) headquarters to Islamabad. Heaven knows how moving offices would serve the end but this decision lays bare the degree of cognizance of the sports related activities, by the people at the helm. Instead of calling the management to question they feel the Lahore office is jinxed?

There are basic and chronic issues which need immediate attention. Without sponsorship no sport in the world can thrive but the issue is that who would pump his money into a team which has become a global punching bag? Role of national media is overriding in glorification of the game to attract youth to TV screens for hockey matches. Without luring juveniles into the sport no plan would yield fruit. Its incumbent upon national broadcaster to cover domestic hockey tournaments regardless of pecuniary benefits but with improvised production and presentation plus avant-garde workforce and equipments. Corporate sector lends the foundation on which any sporting structure is erected and they won’t dump their money into the game of hockey untill it catches on with the vast majority of the populace. So the argument “who would come first, sponsor or broadcaster?” must be laid to rest.

There is plenty of finger pointing towards capacity and integrity of PHF management and Govt hierarchy must take them to task for the debacle. On one hand their team is putting up abysmal show on the other they haven’t been able to arouse public interest in the game.

Coaching and training of the national side got to be delivered in line with the cutting-edge techniques and for that purpose you need to have coaches who are au fait with contemporary technology and skills. Problem with ex-Pakistani players is that they are predominantly not-well-educated and even are rarely seen on social media if at all. Also there is not even a single hockey expert available to the PHF who could give his opinion in English on TV. Pakistan not only needs foreign qualified coaches but also hockey experts for revival of national sport of the country.

Published in Daily Times, June 26th, 2017.