Daily Times

LAHORE: After suffering humiliation in the Olympic Qualifiers at Antwerp, Belgium in July this year, the new management of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has set the World Cup 2018 in India and the Tokyo Olympics 2020 as its future targets. PHF president Brig (r) Muhammad Khalid Sajjad Khokhar on Wednesday announced the national federation’s plans on how it would start rehabilitation of hockey across the country, and what measures it would take to revive domestic hockey and invite foreign teams in the country. Along with PHF secretary general Shahbaz Ahmed Senior, Khalid addressed a press conference here at the National Hockey Stadium. It was the first interaction of the two ambitious PHF officials with the media since their lucrative appointments by the PHF patron-in-chief Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

“Our main target is now the World Cup 2018 in India and the Tokyo Olympics 2020. The PHF will raise a strong team for the future mega events,” he claimed. Khalid became president of the national federation after former Olympian Akhtar Rasool was forced to resign after the Olympics debacle. After Akhtar’s resignation, PHF secretary Rana Mujahid Ali was also shown the door and controversial former Pakistan captain Shahbaz was named as new secretary of the federation. Shahbaz, like his boss Khalid, also played his cards well to join the bandwagon of Pakistan hockey. It was really surprising and shocking that the Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ministry, along with the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), was given more importance than the PHF Congress members and hockey fraternity for new appointments in the PHF.

Despite facing severe financial crunch and harsh criticism, the greenshirts, under Mujahid and Akhtar, won one gold and two silver medals in three major events. It was Mujahid and Akhtar who succeeded in raising a team that played three finals in 2014: silver in FIH Champions Trophy held in India, gold in Asian Champions Trophy and silver in the Incheon Asian Games. But the PHF could not field a well-prepared team for the Olympic qualifiers because of the federal government’s lacklustre attitude towards the PHF which resulted in severe shortage of funds and Pakistan failed to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics 2016.

Replying a question regarding former PHF chief Zafarullah Khan Jamali’s displeasure over Shahbaz’s appointment, Khalid disclosed that Shahbaz was appointed after consulting Jamali. It was reported in the media that former Prime Minister Jamali was not happy with the nomination of former Olympian Shahbaz. Prime Minister Nawaz wanted to appoint Jamali as the PHF chief but his age factor came in the way. Under the PHF constitution, a person above 70 years of age can not be appointed as the PHF president. However, PM Nawaz told PHF chief Khalid that he should take all decisions of new appointments in the national federation after taking Jamali into confidence. But Khalid named Shahbaz as new secretary general without consulting Jamali. “I don’t like to talk on differences related to the national hockey issues. I have joined the PHF to take on board all hockey-related personalities instead of creating differences. I will talk with all Olympians and international players and their suggestions will be considered for the promotion of hockey.” Khalid said it was not a good sign that there was criticism in less than 48 hours of announcement of the names of the officials of the PHF. The PHF president added that some time should be given to his team to work with peace of mind.

He said the PHF’s focus would be on junior hockey which was vital for the survival of the national sport. “Our future hockey revolves around their performance.” He said he was not satisfied with the fitness of Pakistan players and would send them for training in Abbottabad. “The national players will be sent to foothills of the Himalayas in a bid to improve both their form and fitness. It was the fitness factor that led to the debacle in the Olympic qualifiers. Training on high-altitude will help us in our bid to raise the players’ fitness levels. Cooler weather conditions will enable our players to carry out longer and harder training sessions to make it sure that they are well-prepared for upcoming assignments.” Khalid said that Pakistan hockey was facing tough times but he was confident things would get better soon. “We are all confident that the up tick in our performance graph would soon become a lot more visible.” But one should keep in mind that nothing positive or fruitful comes out when the persons at the helm have dubious and controversial backgrounds.

Khalid said the PHF had planned a hockey development programme in remote and neglected areas of the country. “Under this programme hockey sticks will be provided free of cost to country’s youngsters. The hockey sticks and kits will be provided to the needy, enthusiastic up-coming young players of genuine hockey clubs, school and college students to promote the national game in the country. We will also revive inter-school and inter-collegiate tournaments. The winners of these tournaments will be sent abroad for exposure.” The PHF official said they needed immediate finances to run the national federation. There is no money in the PHF kitty. So I have requested the federal government to provide us immediate grant for smooth running of Pakistan hockey,” he concluded.