One of the best playmakers to grace the game, legendary Pakistan hockey player, Akhtar Rasool, believes that it is high time that Pakistan and India play more often in the best interest of the sport.
Pointing out the absence of both the Asian heavyweights from the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games final, which saw Japan defeat Malaysia for its maiden gold, Rasool said, “It reflects a decline of both the Asian powerhouses and is a matter of concern.”
The Jakarta Asiad was only the second time in Asian Games history when either India or Pakistan did not feature in the title clash, the other instance being in Doha, Qatar, in 2006 when South Korea beat China for gold.
In an exclusive chat with Muscat Daily, the 64 year old two-time World Cup gold medallist, who is in Oman to watch the fifth edition of Asian Champions Trophy, said, “Both Pakistan and India have a long journey to regain their lost glories. It is not wrong to say that both the two countries taught the game to the world. But the introduction of astro-turf and changes in the game have now tilted the balance towards non-Asian teams.
“I believe that the only way for both India and Pakistan to improve is to play more often between themselves. The absence of both the teams in the recent Asian Games final is a cause of worry. For me there is only one remedy - have more and more India-Pakistan matches.”
Rasool was the captain of Pakistan team that won the World Cup in Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1982.
Displaying his concern on the decline of hockey in sub-continent, Rasool, the former Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) chief, said, “If playing in respective nations is an issue, then the teams should play at neutral venues like Oman. I think that both the teams can play bilateral series at neutral venues.”
On the need for foreign coaches for Pakistan and India teams, Rasool said, “I am open to the idea that if teams could learn something new from foreign experts then go for it. One should always be open to learning.”
Giving an example, Rasool, whose father, Ghulam Rasool, too was a hockey great and Olympic gold medallist, said, “When I returned to a hero's welcome in Pakistan after winning the 1982 World Cup in India, I reached home only to find my father hand me a slip. It contained seven mistakes I had madeduring the final match. So one should be always ready to learn in life as there is always scope of improvement.”
On Pakistan's hopes in the forthcoming World Cup, the former midfield great said, “It is good to see the team play in the World Cup and I wish the boys the best under Hassan Sardar. There is a lot to improve in our team at this stage. The Asian Champions Trophy is a good tournament to prepare for the World Cup in India.”
