Lack of investment in the sport
Pakistan’s hockey team is not performing at the level of other nations, and there are various factors contributing to this decline. One significant issue is the lack of support and investment from government agencies and other stakeholders. There has been a lack of support and consistent scheduling for hockey in Pakistan, as the national championship was not held from 2014 until 2020, and it is unclear if there ill be any future championships. In the past, intercollegiate, school, and university tournaments were held and attracted a wide audience, even without government support. However, there is now less emphasis on sports at the grassroots level and more pressure on students to achieve high grades and study abroad. This shift in priorities, coupled with a sense of desperation in society overall, has contributed to the decline of hockey in Pakistan.
In the past, people in Pakistan were more interested in hockey because of the success of the national team. At the grassroots level, there are actually better-playing facilities in Punjab and KPK than in Sindh, but these facilities are not funded by the government. There is a large pool of talented players in Pakistan who have the potential to perform at the international level, but they need to be trained and educated according to international standards in order to reach their full potential. This process may take time, but it is possible for Pakistan’s hockey team to improve and achieve success again in the future. The raw and natural talent of the players in Pakistan is an advantage compared to other nations.
