The Pakistan sports board has been a victim of so much corruption and politics which has abysmally permeated into sports federations to the extent that factually it is at a standstill and has worsened over time.
Let’s talk about our national sports Hockey. Pakistan has record for most World Cup wins, winning the mega-event on four occasions (1971, 1978, 1982, 1994). They have also won Gold at the Olympics three times, the third most in history.
Unfortunately, dark days were to came for our national sports when our team failed to qualify for the Hockey World Cup in 2014. Although Pakistan did qualify in 2018 but the team did not perform well.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has claimed that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on the intervention of government in PHF affairs has withdrawn the hosting right of the Olympic qualifier event from Pakistan.
The tournament was scheduled to be held in Lahore from 13th to 21st January 2024. The PHF in a statement stated that FIH communicated this decision to it, citing interference in the affairs of the PHF as the primary reasons for the withdrawal. "FIH has withdrawn hosting from Pakistan due to serious concerns. International events necessitate government cooperation and support, provided by Pakistan’s government, the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, and the Pakistan Sports Board.
Organising an event like the Olympic Qualifier without the Government of Pakistan’s support is impossible" said a PHF official and added that the hosting of the Olympic qualifier event in Pakistan was being withdrawn.
"The PHF had been diligently preparing for this opportunity. However, it’s worth noting that India had voiced significant reservations regarding Pakistan’s role as the host for the Olympic qualifier event" he said.
The organizing structure is still in choas and disorder and the governments have given no attention to the sporting bodies as a whole. Hockey grounds are in ruins, the little amount of money the government pours into the Hockey federation. The basic infrastructure and the hockey grounds have been vanished away because of corruption. Builder mafia converted the hockey grounds into marquees or china cutting.
The reasons of downfall of hockey in Pakistan are the lack of media attention, lack of funds, lack of planning, ignoring grassroots levels, intermittent government support and much more.
Once hockey was the top sport in the country, but nowadays we hardly see youngsters taking up the sport, which is all down to the mismanagement at the top, where they failed to promote the national game.
The dire situation calls for comprehensive reforms on multiple fronts. First and foremost, there is a pressing need for renewed financial backing. This is crucial in enhancing the existing sports facilities and ensuring they meet international standards.
It can also provide the necessary resources to kickstart robust training programs aimed at grooming promising athletes. Provide aspiring athletes with a proper ecosystem that will enable them to perform at the top of their capabilities. Pakistan should learn from their mistakes.
However, if the right steps are taken, starting with the ones outlined above, Pakistan can reclaim its rightful place among the hockey elite. The past glory can serve as an inspiration, a testament to the fact that with the right approach and unwavering commitment, the golden days of Pakistan’s hockey can be rekindled.
