The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) was expected to bring big changes to the national team in the backdrop of their dismal performance in the World Hockey League in London, finishing seventh in a 10-team contest. But nothing came out of it despite PHF President retired Brig Sajjad Khokhar holding several meetings in Lahore last week.

The limping Pakistan team have the chance to qualify for next year’s World Cup. The situation will be clear at the end of November. But the way the team lost matches in London with huge margins to high-ranking teams India, 1-7 and 1-6; Canada 0-6; Holland 0-4; Argentina 1-3; there is not much hope.

Khokhar was in Lahore and held marathon meetings to replace the team management headed by Khawaja Junaid as head coach, but failed to take a decision. He has decided to call an executive board meeting, giving a chance to Junaid to explain his position instead of taking a decision in haste.

Affairs of the national hockey are in a shambles. The PHF does not seem serious in coming up to best international standards. Change for the sake of change has been a tested formula in Pakistan on several occasions. The real task ahead of the PHF is to pick the right people with sincere intentions, putting aside all kinds of lobbies and nepotism.

The World Cup is close and is being held in India, and if the Pakistan team continues with similar sluggish performances before an Indian crowd, the morale of hockey lovers would nosedive.

Before the World Cup, another event, the Asia Cup, is being held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from Oct 12 to 22. A victory in the Asian event could play a vital role in boosting the morale of the national team ahead of the mega event.

It is time to start preparing for both events. But unfortunately, the PHF has not yet finalised any plans yet.

After nine years, the Lahore region has been included in the Board of Governors (BoGs) of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The incumbent BoGs will work till Aug 17 after which a new board will take over. Besides Lahore, Quetta, Fata and Sialkot will be in the new board. They are replacing Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar and Rawalpindi.

Lahore Region Cricket Association President Khawaja Nadeem vowed that as a BoGs member, he would do all to improve the cricket of Lahore. Last time, Lahore was in the BoGs in 2007 when a new constitution of the PCB was made by the then chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf.

Then late president of the Lahore region, Aamir Hayat Khan Rokhari, was elected as member of the board. Lahore, however, failed to play any major role under Rokhari’s tenure.

Hopefully, this time, the city will contribute to the betterment of the game.

Despite several claims by adviser to the chief minister on sports, MNA Hanif Abbasi, work on sports infrastructure is going on a snail’s pace. Around two years back, the Sports Board Punjab (SBP) announced that work on 1,000 small and big stadiums for various sports was under way throughout the province. But not a single one has been inaugurated yet.

Work on sports infrastructure is not reflecting the claims of Punjab government.

In Lahore, the Punjab government has released Rs60 million to install floodlights at the LCCA ground, but the groundbreaking ceremony is yet to be held. The funds were released in the last fiscal year 2016-17.

Moreover, the international swimming pool and tennis stadium, both at Nishtar Sports Complex, are yet to start functioning despite the SBP rescheduling their inauguration several times. The board officials have claimed that work on both the pool and tennis stadium had been completed, yet the delays make no sense.

Perhaps, the officials want to invite the chief minister to inaugurate the projects but cannot get an appointment from him. Instead of waiting for the chief minister, the facilities should be opened to players to train for international events.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2017