A factor similar between Pakistani and Indian hockey teams is that both have employed foreign coaches who have helped the teams qualify for this year’s London Olympics. Indian hockey has faced a lot of criticism by former Olympians for hiring Michael Nobbs but Hockey India, the recognised body of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), went ahead with its plans. The appointment of a foreign coach followed after India, the eight times gold medalists, failed to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics men’s field hockey. It was for the first time that India was out of Olympic hockey.

Similarly, Pakistan Hockey Federation, headed by former Olympian fullback Qasim Zia, hired Dutch coach Michel van den Heuvel for two years. His contract will end after the London Olympics. The appointment came after Pakistan’s worst-ever performance in the 12-nation World Cup held in India in 2010.

Unfortunately, the PHF faced flak from former Olympians for this decision after Pakistan’s dismal performance in the recent Champions Trophy in New Zealand. Pakistan did not qualify for the 33rd Champions Trophy but because it was Beijing Asian Games champion, it was accommodated when FIH raised the number of participating teams from six to eight. The team entered the tournament without the required training and consequently put on a disappointing show finishing seventh in the eight-nation contest.

Despite this disappointing performance the Dutch coach returned from the Netherlands to watch the recently-concluded National Championship matches at the Hockey Club of Pakistan. The list of Olympic probables, numbering 25, was not announced in Karachi in the chief coach’s presence but three days after he flew back. Media reports claim that the coach was against the inclusion of one or two players for the Lahore camp set up for picking the team for the seven-nation Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Tournament, commencing from May 24 to June 3 at Ipoh, Malaysia. Besides Pakistan, other countries taking part in the event are India, Argentina, New Zealand, South Korea, Great Britain and hosts Malaysia. This is regarded as the first phase of training for London Games.

However, in spite of the differences between Heuvel and the PHF, the expected decision of ending the coach’s contract seems unwise given that the London Olympics is only five months away. In a recent press statement Heuvel has claimed that five months are sufficient for raising a strong and capable team for the Olympics, promising that Pakistan would be among the top four teams.

Cancelling the contract could prove to be a great blow to the national hockey team which was on the right track with an eye on the Olympic Games. Losing the Dutch coach at this point might prove costly during the London Olympics.