KARACHI, Dec 29: The year 2003 ended on a dismal note as once-mighty Pakistan suffered worst-ever defeats in hockey, casting a pall of gloom.

Not only the game plunged deeper into abysmal depths, it was also marred by questionable decisions by Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) hierarchy that created unnecessary back-to-back controversies.

After consolation victory at Azlan Shah Cup in Kuala Lumpur in March where most of the countries fielded their under-strength sides, Pakistan hockey went through perhaps the most turbulent times during the year.

Although the start seemed to be perfect for coach Shahnaz Sheikh, the followers were shell-shocked when his side finished “fourth” at the two three-nation tournaments in Perth and Sydney in May-June.

The most alarming was the 5-3 defeat against Australia `A’ in Perth and a narrow 1-0 win over the same side in Sydney.

Shahnaz, who took over the charge after dismal performances at major events last year under Tahir Zaman, finally called it a day in July after PHF dragged him into an unsavoury controversy involving three national players.

Mohammad Nadeem, Waseem Ahmad and Sohail Abbas created a furore when they opted to play in German league for financial gains, skipping the Australian tour.

The trio admitted they went to Germany despite being refused permission by the PHF. The PHF made Shahnaz a scapegoat when Waseem and Sohail’s department, Wapda, charged him with instigating the players to play abroad.

To make matters worse, PHF, as a penalty, axed Nadeem from the squad that toured Down Under, but included Waseem and Sohail into the Champions Trophy side after a Rs0.1million fine, saying it chose the lenient way in the “national interest.”

To save its skin, PHF threw the ball into Wapda’s court who asked Shahnaz to appear before its inquiry committee. On Shahnaz’s refusal, PHF reverted its decision and Shahnaz was eventually exonerated by a PHF probe committee.

The drama ended on Shahnaz calling it quits and Abdul Rashid Jr taking the hot seat. The history repeated itself as Rashid also quit because of PHF’s follies.

But before Rashid’s sudden departure, his side gave what was yet another dismal performance with green shirts losing to arch- rivals India 7-4 at Amstelveen Champions Trophy — the biggest- ever defeat against the Indians in the history of the game.

Pakistan managed a bronze, but damage was already done, chiefly because of pathetic goalkeeping performance by Ahmad Alam as the team conceded 23 goals.

Yet another shock was in store for hockey lovers as not only Pakistan lost to India 4-2 at Asia Cup final, but the defeat also meant that Pakistan will now have to go through ignominy of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup for the first time.

Rashid quit on Oct 4 to become the second senior team manager to leave the national hockey scene owing to PHF’s strange, damaging policies.

The former spearhead finally broke one-month silence, launching a scathing attack on PHF secretary Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan, asking him to quit, saying it is his incompetence that sport is at its lowest ebb.

As a last resort, PHF decided to hire foreign expertise to lift the sagging hockey fortunes. And Roelant Oltmans was the man who was given the charge after the Afro-Asian Games where Pakistan again lost to India 4-2 in the final with Tahir at helm.

Musarrat claims PHF is in good financial health, the decision to bring the Dutchman at this juncture would be nothing but waste of precious funds which PHF seems to be investing on projects which are unlikely to produce results.

There could be no doubt in Oltmans being one of the most successful coaches in the world. But he neither has a magic wand nor he can perform a miracle which could help Pakistan bring the lost glory at 2004 Athens Olympics in just nine months.

However, Tahir maintained his status as PHF’s blue-eyed boy and is still associated with the team serving as Oltmans’ deputy. Tahir, who was demoted as assistant coach after Shahnaz’s appointment, once again became the coach after Shahnaz left.

PHF continued to play havoc with the sport again demoting Tahir after Oltmans’ arrival. Why Tahir sticks to the national squad is a question many experts asked but failed to get the answer, although Musarrat confessed Tahir did not enjoy good relationship with some senior players.

PHF proved its double standards when full-back Tariq Imran blew the whistle by levelling charges of bias against Tahir. Instead of a disciplinary action, the defender, who vanished from Champions Trophy camp without informing the team officials, was once again inducted into the squad.

On the junior hockey front, there was even more disappointment, although PHF tried to paint a rosy picture by sending junior squad at second-rate tournaments where they sometimes finished second among minnows.

The present officials took over the charge on July 5, 2000, but the fact is Pakistan Juniors are still going through building process with the Junior Asia Cup, which serves as Junior World Cup qualifiers, barely four months away in Karachi.

What happened is a foregone conclusion since the youngsters were under inept team management — manager Col Abdur Rauf and coach Asif Bajwa.

While Pakistan hockey faced humiliations on the turf due to PHF’s strange ways, shame and disgrace came off the field too with International Hockey Federation (FIH) slapping a one-year ban on Rauf for his violent behaviour during matches in Poland.

Overall, this year was again full of frustrations, defeats, and disappointments which are likely to be next year’s features.