Samiullah fears further decline of Pak hockey

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan hockey great Samiullah feared further decline in game standard, saying no concrete steps so far have been taken to prepare a competitive outfit for the four important international events staring at national outfit during the year 2018.

Talking to The News Samiullah said all recent steps taken by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) in no way suggest things were moving in right direction.

“The only criteria to see as whether game standard is on the rise is to follow national team’s performance. If you are winning tournaments abroad and improving your ranking by each passing year, that means administrators have the capacity to do justice with their jobs.

But if things are going from good to bad and the bad to worse that gives a different picture. Sadly what happened during the last two years gives us impression that national hockey is in doldrums.

God forbid, the trend we have seen in recent months gives us impression that Pakistan would not be in a position to beat minnows in months to come. Pakistan team was at least considered amongst the top six or seven teams in the world. Now we are nowhere amongst the top 12 teams in the world. Fears are that our ranking would further decline in months to come.”

Four important international events- Commonwealth Games, last edition of the Champions Trophy, Asian Games and then the World Cup are to be played this year.“This year possibly has more important international events then we have seen in recent past. My question is, whether Pakistan hockey is ready to face the best in the world or we are near to achieving that standard? I am afraid that we have not even started as yet.”

In 18 months time three team managements have been changed clearly showing the dearth of decision making powers by the administrators. “Nowhere in the world such approach has been seen. Such decisions expose the federation in real terms. It gives an impression that early decision taken by the top officials had no worth or value.” Such changes he said were bound to ruin the combination of the team. Sami said that there was need to take fresh start on all fronts. “Mere changes in coaching staff or changes in selection panel would not be enough. The PHF needs a fresh start. Every former hockey stalwart is worried about Pakistan hockey. Mere cosmetic overhauling would not make any difference as things would go from bad to worse,” Sami said.

Sami questioned the PHF recent decisions that he said would take hockey nowhere. “I think the time is already over for the federation to take strong decisions or to improve federation working.”

Sami had his concerns over new management and their ability to improve team plight. “It is just another time gaining approach that would usher no positive results. Those who were given team reigns are no new to hockey. They are the same who proved big disaster in the past. So expecting them bringing in laurels this time would be like living in fool’s paradise,” he said.

To a question about the PHF decision to honour him during the forthcoming World XI tout to Pakistan, he said he would go and receive the award. “Since veteran players from other countries would be here and country’s image and prestige is involved he would go and receive the award.”