WORLD CUP DEBACLE: IPC ministry wants answers from PHF

ISLAMABAD: Taking strong notice of the poor show, the government has asked the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to underline reasons of national team’s debacle in the World Cup, which saw the Greenshirts finishing at 12th even behind minnows China.

In a letter addressed to PHF secretary, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Deputy Director General Azam Dar wrote: “Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fahmida Mirza who is also the president of PSB has expressed her shock over the disappointing and abysmal performance of the national team in the World Cup that concluded in India a few days back.

“Four times world champions’ performance is highly deplorable. The team has finished poor 12th in the competition,” the letter says.

Under the minister’s instruction, the PSB official has directed the PHF to give in writing the reasons of this unacceptable performance. “All the hockey fans back home are highly concerned over the pathetic show put in by the Pakistan team where it failed to win a single match — which happened for the first time in the history of Pakistan hockey,” the letter says.

The PHF has also been directed to share the reasons underlined by the team management on this poor show that saw the team finishing even behind China.

The letter said that keeping in view the gravity of the situation, the directives of the Ministry of IPC should be taken on priority. “The letter demands a quick response from the PHF.”

Pakistan hockey team’s performance in the mega event has drawn severe criticism from all around. Former hockey legend Samiullah called for sacking of all PHF officials with KPK Hockey President Zahir Shah requested the government to initiate the operation clean-up in the federation.

Four years back when Pakistan failed to qualify for the Olympics 2016, the then Ministry of IPC constituted a committee consisting of players not associated with the PHF and other officials of well known stature. The then secretary IPC Ijaz Chaudhry was heading the committee. “In their consensus report, the committee demanded sacking of all the PHF officials. On the recommendations of the committee, the Ministry of IPC announced fresh formation of the federation.”

The worst ever performance has come at a time when the new PTI government wanted to streamline the sports affairs of the country. Prime Minister Imran Khan has recently formed a task force to strengthen the system which could guarantee the grooming of leading future athletes.