2 weeks ago
Pakistan Hockey's Decline Blamed on Weak Domestic Structure, Says Akbar
Hockey is a fast sport played with sticks and a small ball.
Long ago, Pakistan was one of the best hockey teams in the world and won many championships.
Now, Pakistan is not winning as much, and a former player named Salman Akbar explains why.
He says Pakistan never built a strong system to train players at home.
India also had a sad moment when it did not make it to the 2008 Olympics.
After that, India worked very hard to build a better hockey league and training program.
Now India wins lots of medals, including bronze at the Olympics.
India and Pakistan are big rivals, and Pakistan has not beaten India since 2016.
Akbar hopes the next match between them will be exciting and fair.
He also thinks India's young goalkeepers learned a lot from the great player PR Sreejesh.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Akbar blames the lack of a robust domestic hockey structure for Pakistan's decline.
India recovered from failing to qualify for the 2008 Olympics by investing in grassroots hockey and its domestic ecosystem.
India has since won Olympic bronze medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, along with gold at the 2023 Asian Games.
Pakistan, a four-time World Cup champion, returned to the men's World Cup after an eight-year absence and finished last in the Pro League last season.
Akbar sees the upcoming India-Pakistan clash as a golden chance for Pakistan to end its losing streak against India since 2016.
- Who
- Salman Akbar, former Pakistan hockey captain and two-time Olympian
- What
- An analysis of why Pakistan hockey has declined while India has resurged, citing Pakistan's weak domestic structure versus India's grassroots investment
- Where
- Pakistan and India; Akbar spoke to PTI from the Netherlands, where he is now settled
- When
- Not specified in the articles
- Why
- Pakistan lacked a domestic platform to produce talented players, while India made sustained investments in its domestic ecosystem, coaching, and player pool after the 2008 Olympic qualification failure
Key facts
- Analysis by
- Salman Akbar, former Pakistan hockey captain
- Pakistan's World Cup titles
- 4
- India's Olympic results
- Bronze at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024
- India's 2023 Asian Games
- Gold medal
- Pakistan's last win vs India
- 2016
- Akbar's international caps
- 230
- Akbar's current role
- Goalkeeping coach with Japan since 2018
- Trigger for India's revival
- Failure to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics
Quotes
Salman Akbar
Former Pakistan national team goalkeeper and captain
“There are many reasons, but the biggest reason is that Pakistan never tried to strengthen its domestic hockey structure. There's no platform for the players at home.”
rediff.com
“Pakistan hasn't won against India since 2016, and this is a golden opportunity. I wish both teams the best of luck and hope to see good hockey, and warm handshakes.”
rediff.com









