KARACHI, 17 August — Pakistan skipper Ahmad Alam dropped a bombshell yesterday when he announced his retirement — a move that is bound to leave Pakistan hockey in a fresh turmoil.
In an exclusive interview to Arab News just days after the national team returned from a disappointing trip of Kuala Lumpur, the 29-year-old Ahmad said “it was time for him to quit and let new blood come in to take his place in the team”.
“I have played at the highest level for over ten years and that is quite a long time in international hockey,” said the veteran goalkeeper who made his debut in the 1991 tour of Europe. His first international appearance was in a four-nation tournament in France during that trip.
Ahmed’s decision to call it a day comes after his team’s disappointing fourth position finish in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Kuala Lumpur last week. Pakistan were the tournament’s defending champions but failed to impress much during the seven-nation event, finishing behind Germany, South Korea and Australia.
The Karachi-born Ahmad agreed that the his team’s result and particularly his own performance in Kuala Lumpur was the main reason behind his shocking decision.
“It was a very disappointing result in Kuala Lumpur. But I will not blame the boys for it. I want to say that if any one is to blame for the disaster, its me. My own performance in the tournament was not up to the mark and this is one reason why I don’t want to continue playing.” But he added that the Kuala Lumpur debacle is not the only reason why he has taken such a big decision.
“I’ve tried to give my best whenever I’ve played for my country. But now I feel that my best is behind me and that is not a very good feeling for a player.” Ahmad rejected the idea that he has taken this decision because of any kind of problems with his fellow players or the team coaches.
“I have very good relations with the players as well as the officials of the team. In fact I want to thank them for being so good to me during my entire career. I want to say that the management of the team has been very supportive. My teammates have been very supportive too. So there should be no doubt in any body’s mind that I am retiring because I have any problems with someone.” There have been rumours in the national hockey circles of a rift in the hockey team between some of the players including Ahmed and one of the coaches.
However, the skipper termed all such rumours as baseless. Ahmed’s announcement comes less then three months before the all-important Champions Trophy which Pakistan will be hosting in Lahore in November.
Its an important tournament featuring the best six teams of the world and is the biggest international competition before next February’s World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.
However, Ahmed said his retirement should not destabilise the team which still has enough time left to prepare for the Champions Trophy.
“It’s a very important and tough tournament and I wish all the best to the team. There is some time left in the event and I hope the boys will be ready in time for it.”
