Political and social issues
Like many other countries, Pakistan has faced a range of political and social issues that can impact the development and success of its sports teams. These might include conflicts, economic challenges, and other factors that can distract from or disrupt the focus on sporting excellence.
Sports are an integral part of the culture of both Pakistan and India and are widely followed, with cricket being the most popular sport in both countries. There are also significant rivalries between the two countries in sports such as hockey. The current state of hockey in Pakistan is a far cry from the environment in which the writer grew up, where the sport was celebrated and supported. There is a lack of enthusiasm for hockey among fans, as well as a lack of sponsorship, media coverage, government support, and infrastructure support for the sport. In order to improve the state of hockey in the country, a new approach is necessary.
In comparison, India’s hockey federation was dissolved and replaced with a new, professional body that received government support and functioned as a semi-private institution. This has allowed India to improve its hockey program and advance in the rankings, while Pakistan has not made similar changes. Despite this, it is possible that Pakistan’s team could still succeed in future tournaments if they perform to their full potential. However, there have been no concrete developments in establishing a professional league in Pakistan, despite discussions about this since 2015. It is sad that countries that started playing hockey after Pakistan have qualified for the World Cup while Pakistan has not, but it is hoped that the team will perform well and achieve success in future tournaments.
