JEDDAH, 31 August 2003 — The game of hockey can play a crucial role in bringing subcontinental arch-rivals India and Pakistan together and improving relations, according to Islahuddin Siddiqui.
Islah, a former Pakistan captain, manager and Olympian, said the two countries should resume their sporting ties and the game of hockey which is very popular in both India and Pakistan could lead the way in bringing them together.
“If India and Pakistan play against each other more often, it will be beneficial to both and will also help in raising the Asian style of hockey,” said Islah who was here to perform Umrah and pray at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
Islah, a member of the rules board of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), was on his way back home after attending the Champions Trophy in Amsterdam. “The federation is trying to revive hockey matches between India and Pakistan,” Islah told Arab News yesterday in an interview at the office of PIA Station Manager Manzoorul Hassan, an Olympian and former Pakistan captain.
Islah said he was highly impressed by the quality of the game and the skill displayed by the players during the recent Champions Trophy.
“Hosts Netherlands, Australia, Pakistan and India all displayed a very high standard of the game. The surprise package was Argentina which caused a few upsets,” Islah said.
He said Pakistan’s first loss to India in a league match came as a big surprise. “The Indians utilized all the chances that came their way. In contrast, Pakistan failed to make use of the opportunities they got in the second half,” Islah added.
“It was a totally different Pakistan team in the bronze medal game. In the 56-year history of Pakistan, played their hearts out for a 4-3 triumph over India and thus not only avenged the earlier 7-4 loss but also earned the bronze medal in the bargain,” he said.
The rules board had a three-day meeting and reviewed the recent changes in the rules. Islah said rule changes were meant to make the game better and more enjoyable for the spectators. “Take for example the scrapping of the off-side rule. This has helped both Pakistan and India as they play with five forwards. Also the ‘dead ball’ rule during penalty corners has been done away with. Now the rolling ball can be hit and European teams have lost the advantage they had. As a result now there are more goals,” Islah added.
