Resplendent within the FIH president’s room, dealing with the blue turf of Kalinga Stadium right here, is the 11.56kg World Cup trophy that was designed by Pakistan’s Bashir Moojid. The trophy was crafted by the Pakistan Army and this event the brainchild of Pakistan’s Air Marshal Nur Khan. Pakistan can also be essentially the most profitable workforce within the World Cup with 4 titles.
But they aren’t amongst 16 groups in Odisha competing for the trophy, the second time in three editions. Once masters of the sport, Pakistan have additionally needed to endure the ignominy of not qualifying for the final two Olympics. The sport – their nationwide recreation – is struggling with Pakistan’s rating plummeting through the years, right down to No. 16 on the planet.
The state of affairs is so dire that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) didn’t pay coach Siegfried Aikman, who guided Japan to their maiden Asian Games gold in 2018, for over eight months after which the Dutch coach returned to the Netherlands. Aikman had joined in December 2021 with a contract until 2026. But on not being paid, he flew again to the Netherlands in December 2022. But earlier this week, there was discuss in Pakistan hockey circles that Aikman might be paid quickly.
“I have heard this many times. During the 2022 Commonwealth Games, they said it will be done in a few days. It’s been a little more than a few days so I want to see it (salary) first. If I see it, it’s okay. I have told them if they don’t pay me by February, I will not return,” mentioned Aikman. “Yesterday evening, I spoke to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary-general. He is really trying. I am not in a fight with PHF. It is more (about) politics. The government is funding PHF but are not releasing the funds. If you don’t release funds then how can PHF pay?”
Aikman final bought paid in April 2022. He has since been dwelling off his financial savings and being supported financially by his spouse. When funds ran out, he returned house. “It is about delivering professional services, being a professional and to treat it as a profession. They should take professional responsibilities as I do,” he mentioned.
Asked in regards to the issues plaguing Pakistan hockey, Aikman talked about two important causes. “First, living in the past. The whole system is controlled by the old Olympians who are very dominant. They were successful 30-40 years ago but are stuck in that time like India was. That needs to change,” mentioned Aikman, who has Indian ancestry.
“Secondly, begin grassroot growth of coaches, introducing hockey as it’s performed now. The data about international hockey could be very poor in Pakistan. You must activate that. That is one thing cultural and takes a very long time. Good factor for Pakistan is that they will be taught from India. Don’t stay prior to now. Create fashionable hockey.”
Aikman mentioned Pakistan ought to observe the Indian mannequin which took the workforce to the Olympic podium in Tokyo lower than two years in the past. It was India’s first hockey medal within the Olympics after the gold in 1980.
“You should be affected person like India. (Ex-Hockey India president) Narinder Batra did an incredible job. I met him on the 2010 World Cup. He had his plan and caught to it. He managed to maintain going regardless of ups and downs. He was environment friendly and adjusted hockey in India,” mentioned the 63-year-old.
“Hockey additionally modified attributable to Odisha. The help they get is great. That creates an environment for hockey. But additionally they earned it by preserving on monitor, believing within the dream that they had. Now, there are 400 certified coaches in India and it’s rising. That is the mannequin Pakistan ought to strive. Hockey wants Pakistan and Pakistan wants hockey,” he mentioned.
