The Downfall of Pakistan Hockey I Pakistan Hockey’s Fall from Glory I Green&WhiteShirts

Описание: At the 1968 Olympics, Pakistan regained the hockey gold. In those days, the Olympics were strictly an amateur event and professional sportspersons were completely barred. Hence, the sponsorship we see today at the Olympics was lacking. This made it a very costly affair for the host country. On the sidelines of the 1968 Olympics, there were suggestions about dropping some of the team sports.

Pakistan’s great sports visionary, the late Air Marshal Nur Khan, then president of Pakistan Hockey Federation, advised the International Hockey Federation (FIH): “hockey has to have a World Cup to increase people`s interest in the game. One quadrennial global tournament at the Olympics is not sufficient.” The FIH accepted Pakistan`s proposal. Pakistan also donated the magnificent World Cup trophy made up of gold, silver, ivory and teakwood, making Pakistan’s absence at the tournament all the more depressing.

A look at Pakistan`s show at all the World Cups clearly indicates that the decline has been continuous, from king to paupers. Of the first eight editions (till 1994) Pakistan won four times and finished second twice. Since 1994, however, they have failed to qualify for the semifinal. In 2014 and now again in 2023, Pakistan failed to even qualify for the World Cup.