Olympians describe Pakistan hockey future as uncertain despite huge spending

[sonicboom]

Olympians describe Pakistan hockey future as uncertain despite huge spending


KARACHI, Oct. 11 (APP): Three top Olympians and former Pakistan Captains Shahbaz Ahmed, Islahuddin and Hasan Sardar Monday described future of Pakistan hockey uncertain despite, what they said, huge spending on Dutch coach Michel Van Dan Hevuel by Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).“We failed to achieve anything in Commonwealth Games despite huge spending on Dutch by PHF hierarchy,” former Pakistan Captain Shahbaz Ahmed Senior said while reacting to Pakistan’s miserable 7-4 loss to India.“Michel is an ordinary coach and I personally know him, having spent years with him,” Pakistan’s great dribbler commented.

He said he was surprised to see PHF and their spoons celebrating wins against minnows like Scotland and Malaysia, country’s greatest forward who led Pakistan World Cup at Sydney in 1994.

“PHF makes self projections through the media then faces the same fate like in the World Cup”. Pakistan is playing for 5th and 6th spot in the absence of top team like Germany, Holland, Korea and Argentina, he remarked.

“So there is no visible improvement in Pakistan team despite massive spending on the coach and training tour in Netherlands”.

Former Captain Islahuddin Siddiqui described Pakistan team’s performance very disappointing and said massive 7-4 defeat against India has fully exposed PHF and its Dutch coach who failed to justify massive spending on him.

He slammed PHF for not including the second goal keeper which caused debacle. Imran Shah conceded three easy goals including two which went under his legs.

“It was a worst show by Pakistan team in recent years as the team surrendered meekly against arch-rival India,” the once fastest penalty corner dasher said.

“After failure in Commonwealth Games, Qasim Zia and Asif Bajwa will boast about their target is now Asian Games, he maintained.

“If Michel cannot bring Pakistan team on the victory stand in Commonwealth Games what is use of hiring him,” Islah questioned.

Former Chief Selector and mercurial forward of yesteryears Hasan Sardar was of the view that Pakistan must bank on young guns for better show in Asian Games.

“Old guards can perform well against weaker teams but they failed against top teams when it matters,” he said.

Now next month’s XVI Asian Games will prove another test for Pakistan team and it will be a big setback for already demoralized hockey followers if they fail to win the title.

He was of the view that Pakistan’s defence was fully exposed in the first session against India as they conceded four goal.He observed that current Pakistan team is not capable of handling pressure.

Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - Olympians describe Pakistan hockey future as uncertain despite huge spending