RAWALPINDI - Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) chief selector and former Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui came down hard on government for completely ignoring national game hockey and piling misery on the green shirts with each passing day.
Talking to The Nation, Islah said: “After China, it looks highly unlikely Pakistan team has to miss Malaysia tour where they have to participate in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. Cancellation of series one after another will not help Pakistan hockey team cause. In fact, it will further plunge the future of the team. The players are already very depressed and any further bad news will dash Pakistan hopes of gaining top position in the hockey world.”
He said international teams would not come to Pakistan to play bilateral series or events if the same position continued. “Pakistan team is not embarking on international series or even taking part in high-profile events, then how will it be possible for the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and coaching staff to revive the fast declining fortunes of the national game,” he questioned.
“We worked day and night along with the national head coach Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh and within six months, we managed to gain significant improvement not only in international rankings but also in Asian Games and then in Champions Trophy. I think players, team management and the federation deserve better treatment from government.
“I don't know who are the people who want to destabilize the national game and are not passing on the fact-based reality to the PM. It is my humble request to PM Nawaz Sharif to immediately invite the PHF officials and players to clear the air. If international teams and players will not travel to Pakistan, our team will not appear in international events. We need much-needed international exposure before the all-important Olympic qualifiers in Belgium,” he added.
“I want to have a simple answer from government related to their policy regarding hockey, they are serious or not in helping the national game and team. The government must make it clear so that we may draw our future line of action. The PHF needs government help to streamline things, as without government assistance, Pakistan hockey cannot survive. Our religion always emphasises on clearing the dues of the labourers before his sweat dries, but in Pakistan hockey case, we are completely dried out waiting for government to deliver, but despite several promises and dates one after another, noting on ground is done for the federation and players.
“Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) minister Mian Riaz Hussain and secretary IPC Ijaz Chaudhry sent written summary for special grant to the PM which is lying on his table. It is my humble request to the PM, who is PHF patron, to sign the summary so that we may fully focus on taking Pakistan hockey back to old glory days. Any further delay will harm our cause and make future of Pakistan hockey bleak. It is now or never situation for us, and I hope the PM will pay heed and invite the team and PHF officials for a long-awaited meeting,” Islah concluded.