Olympic Qualifiers which took place in Muscat, Oman, were Pakistan’s last chance of making cut for Paris Games
Three-time Olympic hockey champions Pakistan will miss the Summer Games for the third time in a row after the national team failed in its quest to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer. The Olympic Qualifiers which took place in Muscat, Oman, were Pakistan’s last chance of making the cut for the Paris Games and there were hopes that the country could feature in the Olympics after a gap of eight years when the national team reached the semi-finals in Muscat. The top-three teams from the Qualifiers were to earn spots for the Games. However, in the semi-finals, Pakistan were whipped 4-0 by Germany and needed to beat New Zealand in the playoff for the third place to win a ticket to Paris. The Greenshirts punched above their weight in the high-voltage encounter and were leading 2-1 but New Zealand struck twice in the last few minutes to qualify for the Olympics. Pakistan, who also missed in the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro and 2020 event in Tokyo, were left completely shattered.
The heartbreaking result, however, wasn’t entirely unexpected. Over the years, Pakistan hockey has slumped and the team was ranked No 16 when it landed in Muscat, a far cry from the No 1 rank which it held for years during its golden period back in the sixties and seventies. Even at the time of its departure, there was complete turmoil in the national hockey setup with a power struggle going on between the interim president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the gentleman he replaced following an executive order from the office of the caretaker prime minister last month. Just like cricket, hockey too has suffered over the years because of constant government interference. What our national sport needs from the government instead is financial support. The team that went to Muscat had little international experience and exposure as compared to other competing nations in the event. This is because the PHF doesn’t have enough funds due to a lack of interest from the private sector in hockey. There was a time when hockey rivalled cricket as a national pastime in this country especially after Pakistan’s stunning title-winning triumph in the Rome Olympics in 1960. Pakistan won two more Olympic gold medals and four Hockey World Cup crowns besides numerous other international laurels. However, the country’s last olympic hockey medal – a bronze – came way back in 1992 in Barcelona. Since the 2012 Games in London, Pakistan have even failed to qualify for the Olympics.
This story needs to change. The good news is that all is not lost. Despite their failure to qualify for Paris, Pakistan rose to No 15 in the international rankings following the Muscat event. The boys showed glimpses of their skills and talents. With proper training and international exposure, the team has the potential to climb to the top-10 and return to top-flight competitions. Pakistan should set their sights on Los Angeles, where they won the last Olympic gold medal in 1984. The iconic American city will be hosting the 2028 Games. Without wasting any time, the PHF should make a comprehensive training programme aimed at not just a qualification spot for Los Angeles but also an Olympic medal. The private sector and the government should help by pumping in the required funds. Former Olympians should stop their bickering and join hands in the campaign. Pakistan hockey has enough of its fill of failure and should now start gearing up for success. It’s about time.