Ex-Olympian expresses concern over future of hockey in Pakistan after Oz drubbing
Submitted by Rajiv Dhoot on Wed, 08/08/2012 - 12:17.
Islamabad, Aug 8 : Former Pakistan hockey captain Islahuddin Siddique has said the future of hockey in the nation is in turmoil after Australia’s seven nil thrashing at the London Olympics.
Pakistan needed to win Tuesday’s match to enter the semi-finals and have a real shot at a medal, but the Australians were in an unforgiving mood.
It is noteworthy that the national team had also finished at the bottom of their group in the 2010 World Cup, compounding Siddique’s concerns.
“If you are losing, losing, losing, people don’t want to come and play hockey, It was really disappointing because Australia beat Pakistan by a tennis score. We used to win by five, six seven goals and now we are losing by the same score,” The Express Tribune quoted Siddique, as telling to a British broadcaster.
“Everyone wants to see the Pakistan flag high and for Pakistan to win the title. Everyone understands hockey it is our national game and with this result, I think everyone is annoyed,” he added.
The national men’s hockey team has had a rich history at the Olympics, having won eight medals, including gold at the 1960, 1968 and 1984 games.
But Siddique, who won 130 caps for Pakistan scoring 117 goals, feels the team is falling further behind its rivals.
Having led the national side to a World Cup, Siddique said, “Not reaching the last four is very disappointing for Pakistan hockey. Other teams are playing very high skill hockey and Pakistan must improve. We need some surgery and we need some good infrastructure in hockey.” (ANI)
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