BHUBANESWAR: Pakistan hockey coach Shahnaz Sheikh would like other Asian countries to help the former powerhouses extricate themselves from a dismal state caused by a lack of funds.

“We’ve hardly played any hockey over the past two years,” Shahnaz said at the Champions Trophy, where Pakistan were the only team to finish without a point in the pool stage.

“It is for other countries in Asia, mainly India, to play bilateral series with us so that we can gain financially.”

Pakistan were able to participate only due to a private sponsorship from a businessman, and the financial constraints meant they missed the Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia.

Pakistan did not field a team at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games due to a split in its national Olympic association, and it failed to qualify for the World Cup in the Netherlands.

“It’s up to the others to realise our contribution to the game. Pakistan instituted the World Cup [in 1971] and the Champions Trophy [in 1978], and it will only benefit the game if we do well,” Shahnaz said on Tuesday.

He was a star forward of the 1970s, who was a member of the inaugural Champions Trophy-winning team in 1978 and in whose name a new hockey stadium is being built in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan have had a forgettable tournament, falling 8-2 to England, 3-0 to Australia, and 2-1 to Belgium.

In a tournament in which all teams make the quarter-finals, Pakistan will face the Netherlands on Thursday.

“Our match against Belgium was the first against a European team in more than a year,” Shahnaz said. “Moreover, one should not forget that we are the lowest-ranked team in the tournament at 11, and are also here in a bid to develop a side for the future. “There is bound to be a lack of temperament if we don’t get to play other teams. The pressures of international hockey are different, and it will take time to regain our position.

“If we play 25-30 matches, we’ll be a different lot. You should appreciate that we are still playing a positive and aggressive game despite our limitations. We did not make any big claims when we departed, and everyone back home understands our problems.”

Pakistan captain Mohammad Imran acknowledged their limitations.

“We understand what mistakes we are making, but need to iron out all of them quickly to compete at the top level,” Imran said.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2014