Asif
Bajwa, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), gave a complete vote of confidence
to the national team and its management during an interview with Arab News. The
former Olympian declared that the PHF believes Pakistan are right on course
ahead of this year’s Champions Trophy in New Delhi and the 2012 Olympic Games
in London.
“We
believe that our team is shaping up well ahead of two major international
tournaments including next year’s Olympic Games in London,” said Bajwa.
Bajwa’s
comments came in response to stinging criticism unleashed by several former
Olympians, who fear that an ‘aging’ Pakistan team will not be able to put up a
good showing in major events like the Champions Trophy and the Olympics.
Critics
believe that the defeats suffered against lower-ranked teams like France and
Belgium during the tour of Europe are a clear proof that Pakistan are
struggling to come at par with European teams even after their title-winning
triumph at the Asian Games in China late last year.
Former
greats like Shehnaz Sheikh and Samiullah believe that Pakistan, once the most
successful team in the hockey world, currently lag far behind top teams like
reigning world champions Australia, Germany, Netherlands and Spain, especially
when it comes to player fitness.
Over
the years, hockey has transformed itself as a fast-paced sport in which fitness
has surpassed skills as the single most important feature of the game.
“We
have several players in our national team who are in their thirties. Their
fitness level is not up to the mark, a fact that is going to be a huge minus
point for Pakistan in demanding tournaments like the Champions Trophy,” said
Shehnaz.
The
former Pakistan coach recalled last month’s Rabo Trophy, a four-nation hockey
tournament in Amsterdam where Pakistan crashed to a last-place finish following
defeats against Germany and hosts Netherlands in back-to-back matches.
“It was
evident that our players aren’t fit enough to play back-to-back matches,
especially against top teams. That’s bad news because we will have to deal with
even more difficult situations in events like the Champions Trophy. With the
current players I don’t think we are ready for such tournaments,” said Shehnaz.
Former
greats like Shehnaz and Samiullah are calling for the induction of younger
players in the national team.
But PHF
and national team officials are keeping their faith in older but more
experienced players like drag flick expert Sohail Abbas, midfielders Waseem
Ahmed and strikers Rehan Butt and Shakeel Abbasi.
Bajwa,
himself a former Olympian, made it clear that the PHF will back the team
management. “We have several experienced coaches in our team management and if
they are ready to back the senior players then the PHF will support their
decision all the way,” said Bajwa.
Dutchman
Michel van den Heuvel, a former national hockey coach of Netherlands,
spearheads Pakistan’s team management as the head coach.
Former
Olympians Khawaja Junaid (manager) and Shahid Ali Khan (coach) are also part of
the national team management.
