KARACHI, Jan 3: Pakistan hockey plunged deeper into troubled waters after dismal performances at major events during the year 2005 under a set of inept officials who pushed the sport into further turmoil.

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) top officials did what they have been doing for the past five and a half years; celebrating victories in insignificant tournaments and accepting responsibility for ignominious defeats at major events. However, lacking guts and integrity, they refused to step down as usual.

The green shirts ended the year with humiliation at Champions Trophy in Chennai when they hardly managed to escape relegation, edging past India 4-3 in the fifth place play-off. It was unprofessional handling of the affairs owing to which Pakistan finished at third spot at Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia.

In between the two events, Pakistan also faced humiliation at Hamburg Masters where they finished at bottom. But it was the much-hyped victory at Rabo Trophy in Amsterdam weeks before Champions Trophy that made the PHF officials so proud as if they had won the Olympic gold.

While Europeans were in Amsterdam to analyse the oppositions to prepare for the Champions Trophy, PHF focussed on winning the event that virtually had no competitive value.

Likewise, PHF hierarchy was elated on insignificant victories at four-nation at home and six-nation junior invitational event in Kuala Lumpur. And the result was pathetic seventh place at Junior World Cup in Rotterdam.

The administration saw a change of guard at top level in late 2004 when Gen Aziz Khan stepped down as the president and new chief Tariq Kirmani took over the reins on Dec 28, 2004. The fans and followers were anticipating year 2005 would bring a “revolution” after the change which proved nothing except new wine in an old bottle. What was left after five and a half years of poor performance, hockey was further damaged by the present PHF set up.

The year saw several damaging steps taken by the PHF kingpins, but it was involvement of PHF in human trafficking that dominated the headlines and further blemished the already tarnished image of Pakistan hockey. While Kirmani endorsed several recommendations by his secretary Brig Musarrat Ullah Khan, it was mishandling of visa scandal that really damaged PHF chief’s reputation.

Kirmani, at a Feb 28 press conference, categorically stated that a report submitted by PHF disciplinary committee found no evidence that director administration Capt Mukhtar Ali was involved in sending unauthorised people abroad. However, later Mukhtar admitted he sent some “hockey lovers” and was sacked on the basis of the committee report. To make matters worse, Kirmani urged the press to refrain from asking questions about the visa scandal which, he contended, would tarnish the image of the country.

Kirmani, who headed oil giant PSO, when he became PHF president, and now serves as PIA chief, may be a mastermind in the marketing industry but failed to match the hockey vision the former PHF chief Air Marshall Nur Khan had which helped Pakistan win whatever there was up for grabs at the highest level. Perhaps he felt a new PHF logo, impressive demonstrations of the future plans during press conferences, and superficial changes would do the trick.

It was evident that Kirmani was least bothered in reviving the game when he endorsed all the controversial decisions and appointments made by the outgoing president Gen Aziz.

In a comedy of errors, PHF sent a team management, merging officials from both senior and junior teams. Interestingly, junior team coach Tahir was given the charge of Azlan Shah Cup squad, while senior team coach Asif assisted him in Malaysia.

In yet another embarrassing episode, PHF officials were left red faced when Sohail Abbas and former captain Waseem Ahmad refused to join the camp for Azlan Shah Cup despite the fact PHF had literally begged and cajoled them to join. PHF decided against calling Waseem for national duty after he snubbed PHF for blaming him for not informing about his retirement after 2004 Champions Trophy.

Nevertheless, PHF official faced embarrassment when Sohail opted to play in domestic events for his department but did not report despite being invited thrice for national camps.

On the domestic front, PHF staged a drama of Super League that was nothing but an activity to oblige favourites. Youngsters were ignored to accommodate retired, discarded and aging players like Ahmad Alam, Mohammad Nadeem, Malik Shafqat and dozens of others.

The league was marred by regular power failures and reports of match-fixing that allowed Sindh Qalandars reach the final. Ironically, former goalkeeper Mansoor Ahmad, sentenced to seven years in jail for theft and later released by high court on surety bond, was inducted as Qalandars goalkeeping coach.

Overall, it was a year of agony for fans and humiliation for Pakistan hockey both on and off the pitch.