Asian Games our best chance to earn Olympic spot, says Shahnaz

KARACHI: Back in 1958, Pakistan earned themselves a place on the world hockey map when they surprised previously invincible India to win the Asian Games in Tokyo.

It was the first ever international title for the Pakistani hockey players, who later attained dizzying heights by winning a series of international titles including Olympic Games, World Cup and Champions Trophy during the next few decades.

Sixty five years after the historic Tokyo triumph, Pakistan would be looking to begin a latest bid aimed at their hockey revival by regaining the Asian Games crown in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8.

Once counted as the undisputed world champions in international hockey, Pakistan have slumped to No. 17 in the world, even behind teams who were in the past counted among world hockey minnows like Wales, Ireland and Malaysia. Pakistan have won four World Cup and three Olympic titles but they currently do not possess a single international title.

Such has been the decline of Pakistan hockey that experts fear that the country might never make an international comeback.

Ask Shahnaz Sheikh, a World Cup and Olympic gold medallist, who has been recently brought back by national authorities to put the sport back on track, and he will tell you that there might still be some hope for Pakistan hockey.

Shahnaz told 'The News' in an interview that a title-winning triumph in Hangzhou can prove to be the much-needed shot in the arm for Pakistan hockey.

"Pakistan hockey is at a stage where many fear that it's over," says Shahnaz, one of Pakistan's hockey's greatest legends. "Our pool of players has shrunk as fewer youngsters are taking up the game. There are little or no opportunities for them to make a living from hockey in Pakistan. Our world ranking has slumped. Our national teams hardly play any international matches," he laments.

"But there is still hope. With a complete overhaul of the system, we can revive our hockey but it will take a lot of investment and efforts," adds Shahnaz, who is hoping that the public and private sectors will start taking an interest in reviving national hockey.

However, he concedes that Pakistan's hockey players will need to punch above their weight in order to recreate an interest in this once popular sport.

"Hockey became popular in Pakistan because our teams won international titles. We have to produce results because that will help in paving the path for a true revival of our hockey," he says.

Winning the Asian Games title in China is particularly important for Pakistan as it will help them qualify for the Olympic Games to be held in Paris next year. Pakistan, who won the Olympic title in Rome (1960), Mexico City (1968) and Los Angeles (1984), failed to even qualify for the last two editions of the Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.

"Qualifying for the Paris Olympics is our biggest target and to do that the most achievable route is the Asian Games," stresses Shahnaz.

All continental champions get direct Olympic berths but Pakistan will have another chance as they will be hosting the Olympic Qualifiers in Lahore next year. "We will have the home advantage in Lahore but I still think that we should go all out and win the Asian Games title because the Qualifiers won't be an easy event considering that four European teams will also be competing in it."

So can Pakistan, a team currently low on almost everything required by a side to win a major title, reclaim the Asian Games title in China later this year?

They certainly won't start as favourites in an event featuring higher-ranked teams like old rivals India, Korea and Malaysia. But Shahnaz is of the view that with proper planning and hard work, Pakistan should be able to take a shot at the coveted title.

He sees the forthcoming Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, India, as an important event for Pakistan. They will begin their campaign with a game against Malaysia on August 3 followed by matches against Korea, Japan, China and hosts India.

"Our team hasn't played international hockey in the last eight months. So this is going to be a really important event for the boys in the lead up to the Asian Games."

Unfortunately Shahnaz might not be able to marshal his troops in Chennai because of visa delays. Pakistan are scheduled to leave for India via Wagah border today (Tuesday) but Shahnaz is unlikely to accompany them. "I haven't received my visa yet so let's see."