Bring hockey back

Although cricket remains one of the most popular sports in the country, we often forget that the national sport of Pakistan is hockey. Many decades ago, no one could have imagined that our hockey team would find itself at a low ebb. In the past, it had won many hockey championships. But now, the team, which had once been four-time champions in the game, is in complete disarray.

Hockey is seldom taught at our schools and colleges. It has also failed to receive the kind of media and corporate attention that cricket has attracted. The game either doesn’t appeal to our youth or few incentives are being provided to encourage young people to professionally play the sport. Those who are interested in hockey view it as a low-paying hobby. It is time to groom a fresh breed of hockey players. The Pakistan Hockey Federation needs to take on a fresh pool of players. There is also a pressing need to reflect on the hockey team’s poor performance over the last two decades and take measures to revive the forgotten glory of the sport in Pakistan.

Hasan Mughal

Karachi