Pakistan hockey captain and coach lash out at Government

Shahnaz Shaikh (L) and Muhammad Imran (R) after returning back home from the HWL semis in Belgium

The Pakistan men’s hockey team skipper Muhammad Imran blamed the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for not qualifying for the 2016 summer Olympics. This is the first time in Pakistan’s history that they failed to qualify for the Olympics. He strongly criticised the Federation for not giving the players adequate amount of financial support.

The Greens finished a disappointed 8^th in the recently concluded Hockey World League (HWL) semis at Brasschaat in Antwerp, Belgium. They failed to finish in the top 3 of the tournament which would have guaranteed them a place in the Rio Olympics.

The captain expressed his anger at the reporters mocking that no team can win a major tournament and be best in the world with just a diet of “chana and khajoor” (chickpeas and dates).

Talking to the media in Lahore and as reported by Mid-day, the 36-year-old captain of the Pakistan team said, “Hum Rooh Afza aur Khajooro par, naan channay khaa kar world champions nahi ban saktay (We can’t become world champions just by eating dates, chickpeas and drinking roohafza). Why didn't the Prime Minister or Government take notice of our problems or the state of hockey affairs when they should have.”

“We want someone to listen to the problems”

The head coach of the team, Mr. Shahnaz Shaikh lashed out at the PHF and the Government. The coach criticised the Government for ignoring their problems for a long period of time and wants someone to take notice of the problems.

Shaikh insisted that many players are forced play in foreign leagues to earn money rather than taking pride in representing their national team, which results in loss of many talented players.

As reported by NDTV, he said, “We want someone to listen to the problems faced by the players. We have lost some very good players in recent times because there is no financial motivation for them in hockey. These players were forced to go and play in foreign leagues to earn good money.”

According to the former Pakistani captain, the team can do well only if they have peace of mind and don’t worry about their daily wages or diet.

He said in the same interview, “We are as hurt and disappointed at what happened in Brussels, but if hockey is to survive in Pakistan than players should be able to make a career in hockey and play with a peace of mind and not worry about daily allowances, contract payments or meals.”

According to sources, a committee has been formed by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to look into this matter diligently. The committee will hold its first meeting on Thursday, 9^th July.