Pakistan hockey has been in complete disarray for the past twelve years due to unpaid coaches, a debt-ridden federation, players forced to drive taxis, a lack of basic hockey balls for training, and an antiquated playing scheme devoid of midfielders.
Holding his tongue tightly, a TV host remembers when hockey was known as “sone ka phuwara,” or the golden fountain. Another anchor, ‘khoon ke aansu,’ sheds more drama and less sarcasm.
Memories of their time as the “shahenshah” are melancholic. as well as releasing suppressed emotions. “Buildings equipped with dynamites don’t collapse as quickly as Pakistan hockey,” an anchor exclaims.
In six months, the hockey competition at the Paris Olympics will get underway. Pakistan, though, will not be present. as in Tokyo three years prior. also earlier in Rio. They came in fourth at a qualification tournament held in Muscat over the weekend. Only the first three places were eligible.
This indicates that the legendary Green Shirts, who were the most successful team at the Games after India, had now missed three Olympic bus crashes in addition to their gold medal winning streak.
Few people squander their valuable tears outside the studios. For most, it was a predicted fall.
Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans says, “We all need to understand that hockey in Pakistan isn’t a priority anymore.”
Few people have seen the collapse firsthand, either inside or outside of Pakistan, more than Oltmans. The 69-year-old globetrotter has served as Malaysia’s, India’s, and the Netherlands’ coach. However, he has traveled to Pakistan the most—three times in the previous 20 years.
In 2003–04, the year of his first term, the national sport of the nation was recognized as such. Ambition was present. And there was cash to support that.
Oltmans says, “There was obviously a lot more money.”
