Former Olympian Shehnaz Sheikh has called for providing a bailout package to Pakistan Hockey Federation for a period of three years to improve the game of hockey in the country.

In an exclusive interview with News and Current Affairs Channel of Radio Pakistan on Friday, he said to produce good hockey players in the country we need to provide them financial security so that they are focused on improving their game.

He said financial issues have engulfed the game of hockey since the last eight to ten years and the players look toward foreign leagues for their career. 

Former Olympian emphasized the need of patronage of corporate sector to promote the game of hockey on the pattern of cricket.   

Answering a question, he said the game of hockey has become very fast after the change of rules which has in turn increased the demand of improved physical fitness. He said in this fast pace of game, the thought process of the player should move like the speed of the ball. However, skill still reigns supreme and there is no alternative to it.

Shehnaz Sheikh said Pakistan players now play in defensive style whereas the European teams have embraced the style of playing aggressively. 

He lamented that the game of hockey has shrunk in Pakistan resulting in a smaller pool of players. He said we can set up a team but that will not be formidable.  Pakistan ranks on 18th in world hockey ranking which is a source of worry.

Tracing out the glory of Pakistan hockey in its heyday, Shehnaz Sheikh said the sports system inherited after partition of the Indian subcontinent was very robust as it had active matches between schools/colleges, a strong club team structure, frequent tournaments, and employment in the corporate sector for athletes. He suggested giving sports under the patronage of the Ministry of Education and reviving departmental sports for promotion of the game.

The former Olympian also advised the young hockey players to focus on the game by practicing more and devoting enough time. He said wrist work, stick work and foot work should work simultaneously to succeed in the game of hockey to possess the ball and beat the opponent.  

A forward, Shehnaz Sheikh played between 1969 and 1978. He was capped 68 times and scored 45 goals for the Pakistan National Hockey Team. He won Silver in 1972 and Bronze in 1976 Olympics. Shehnaz won the 1971 Field Hockey World Cup and was runner-up in 1975 and won again in 1978.