KARACHI: Hockey legend Samiullah Khan on Wednesday expressed dismay over the absence of the national hockey team from the Rio Olympic Games and said it was disastrous for the country’s sports and a huge setback for the future of the national game.

Talking to Dawn, the Flying Horse said: “Pakistan hockey teams always carried the national flag at the Olympics and won eight gold medals including three gold. But it pains me to see that there is no representation of our hockey team at the Rio Games which is such a shame and a matter of real concern.”

Samiullah, not one to minnce words, blamed the governments, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), POA and PSB for the disaster. “They are to blame for the decline in the game here because there is no effort on to provide incentives or the infrastructure for the youngsters to take up the sport and to excel in it at the national and international level,” he lamented.

Samiullah suggested that Pakistan must utilise good brotherly relationship with China and should send its coaches and players to China to get world class training of Olympic sports there.

The former captain also urged the present govt to target 2020 Olympics from now and plan the training camps and talents hunts of various games and sports in order to send a strong contingent at the mega event.

Samiullah regretted that no foreign teams are willing to tour the country due to security concerns which is hurting the development of sports such as cricket, hockey, squash and several other.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2016