KARACHI Pakistan :Four persons who were directly connected with the Pakistan hockey team’s disappointment performance in the recently concluded Asian Games and World Cup defended the team selection before the enquiry committee set up for looking into the causes of debacle at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium.
‘They claimed that the team was selected from amongst the best available talent in the country.
Briefing the newsmen after recording the views of PHF official and some other people, chairman of the committee Mian Riaz ud din said majority was of the view that “lack of team spirit, adverse criticism by as section of the press before the team’s departure to Seoul, lack of physical fitness shortage of synthetic turfs in the country, and not enough gap between the two ‘competitions were the main causes of Pakistan hockey team’s downfall.
Mian Riazuddin said that criticism by the Press on the eve of team’s departure demoralized the team who failed to come up to the mark.
He said the people pointed out that long duration camps and extensive European tours also affected the players’ speed and stamina both as compared to the Europeans.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 28, 1986
