Pakistan, once a powerhouse of international hockey, today struggles for its resurgence in men's hockey at number 17 in the FIH standings. This nosedive of Pakistan hockey in the last two decade besides petty politics in national hockey circles, is primarily because of our inability to absorb the modern trends and style of hockey adopted by top teams worldwide.

The only good decision that came from the highest echelons of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) over the years was long term coaching engagement of Pakistan senior and junior squads with Siegfried Aikman, the 63-year-old Dutch hockey coach, who was at the helm of the Japanese hockey team in the 2020 Olympics.

Despite all pressures generated from different interest groups, who only believe in outdated attacking Asian style hockey, PHF made a prudent decision by engaging Aikman till 2026, to shape Pakistan hockey team into a modern outfit capable of facing tougher counterparts in challenging hockey environments.

Over the last 20 years hockey has transformed more than any other team sport. From natural grass to different types of artificial surfaces, modern hockey doesn't only need stick work and body dodges of Asian style, but it needs modern programmes that account for the speed and skill level and cater for individual positional needs. The most successful programs are those that are varied, provide challenges, keep the players on their toes, accept individuality and are fun for players.

Modern hockey is now a multi-directional, explosive, stop-start team game of 70-minute duration, although the ball is actually in play for less than half of the time. Most activity lasts for just a few seconds, with average distance run per game phase being about 15 to 30 yards, depending on the game position of the player.

Any coach who fails to provide a stimulating programme by including too much of the "same" is guaranteed to demotivate players and squads, resulting in compromised performances in both training and games.

I grew up watching the great exponents of Asian hockey in Pakistan. There was no match to the mastery of Shahnaz Shaikh, Rasheed Junior, Haneef Khan and many more of the golden era of Asian hockey but the introduction of artificial surfaces completely changed the complexion of the game.

Today's hockey is played on set patterns like football and the team can no more depend on the flamboyance of one odd forward. Field hockey is about sense of control, depending on use of fast twitch fibers and therefore relies primarily on the anaerobic fitness system and number of benefits are thus gained by training through this system, that impacts on overall level of fitness which directly affects the most difficult aspect of game, that is aggressive defense and calculated counter attacks on the opposition.

The hockey training systems require focus on dynamic flexibility, superb core fitness, control over different running mechanics, fast feet, more agility amongst players, mastery over three step multi directional acceleration movements for defense and attack and above all specialised training for the hockey goalkeeper who now is the pivot in the game, on whom depends 60% of game result.

I hope our hockey players and coaches watched the FIFA World Cup closely and learned the value of ball possession and aggressive defense followed by measured counterattacks. They might have noticed how shrewd coaches use their resources and put bench strength to their advantage. Gone are the days when eleven players fielded at the start of a game, should play for the entire duration of the game.

Coaching in hockey has thus become very technical and development of required chemistry between coach and players needs years of association and mutual respect and confidence. Hence it is imperative that Siegfried Aikman should be given the required resources and independence of action in inducing his coaching philosophy, amongst our players and the hockey legends propagating the age-old theme of attacking hockey must take a back seat for a little while, so that Pakistan hockey can be rebuilt on new and strong foundations of modern hockey.

I am confident that despite the limited pool of hockey players in the country as compared to the past, Aikman has the potential to pull Pakistan hockey out of troubled waters. The veterans have to be a little more patient with their criticism, and the players have to discipline themselves by giving their hundred percent to the game in both defense and offence while playing modern hockey.

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