Samiullah Khan concerned over lack of hockey at school level in Pakistan

• Samiullah Khan concerned about lack of school hockey.
• Pakistan Hockey Federation last month banned former manager.
• This led to Pakistan’s team being unable to advance.

Samiullah Khan, a former hockey player, is concerned about the lack of school hockey in Pakistan.

Despite Pakistan’s long hockey tradition, which includes numerous Olympic Gold Medals and World Cup victories, the sport’s conditions there have been steadily worse over the past two decades.

Pakistan missed out on the 2023 World Cup as well as the back-to-back Olympic Games in 2016 and 2022. In 2014, they also had to endure the embarrassment of missing a World Cup for the first time ever.

“Different sporting activities are being held in schools of Pakistan but hockey is not a part of it,” Samiullah said while speaking to reporters in Karachi.

“We started playing hockey in government schools, back in the day, which played a key role in our success.

“Private educational institutes should also come forward for the betterment of Pakistan hockey. Five-a-side and six-a-side hockey should be promoted at college and school level.

“The Pakistan Hockey Federation also needs to step up in order to ensure that the game gets back on track in Pakistan.”

It should be remembered that the PHF last month banned former manager and Olympian Khawaja Junaid for life.

The PHF Investigation Committee made the choice following the error of fielding 12 players against Japan in an Asia Cup game last year.

When Junaid managed the national team at the Asia Cup, Pakistan’s team was unable to advance to the super four, which prevented them from competing in the World Cup.

When one of the Green Shirts’ goals against Japan in the Asia Cup was overturned because there were 12 players on the field rather than 11, the Green Shirts lost a crucial match.

Mian Ali Ashfaq, a legal advisor for PHF, also spoke openly about the committee’s decision.

“Pakistan faced a lot of embarrassment due to Khawaja Junaid. Due to his misconduct, Pakistan failed to qualify for the World Cup,” said Ashfaq.

“The decision to ban him has been taken in line with FIH rules,” he added.

He added that Junaid didn’t show up in front of the committee to voice his opinion.

“Committee had called Junaid to appear before the committee but he didn’t oblige,” he said. “The decision to ban him has also been approved by PHF president.”

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