BHUBANESWAR, India — Pakistan's field hockey coach Shahnaz Sheikh has called for other Asian countries to help the form power extricate itself from a dismal state caused by a lack of funds. “We've hardly played any hockey over the past two years,” Sheikh said as Pakistan remained the only team to finish without a point in the preliminary league of the Champions Trophy. “It is for other countries in Asia, mainly India, to play bilateral series with us so that we can gain financially.” The Pakistan team was only able to participate due to a private sponsorship from a businessman and has also had little exposure this year, even missing the Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia due to financial constraints. Pakistan did not field a team at this year's Commonwealth Games due to a split in its national Olympic association while it failed to qualify for this year's World Cup in the Netherlands. “It's up to the others to realize our contribution to the game. Pakistan instituted the World Cup (1971) and the Champions Trophy (1978) and it will only benefit the game if we do well,” Sheikh said Tuesday. Pakistan had a forgettable tournament, suffering an embarrassing 8-2 defeat to pool topper England, while also losing 3-0 to Australia and 2-1 to Belgium in Pool A matches. In a tournament that sees all eight teams progress to the knockouts, Pakistan has been drawn to meet the top pool B team, the Netherlands, in Thursday's quarterfinals. “Our match against Belgium was the first against a European team in more than a year. Moreover, one should not forget that we are the lowest ranked team in the tournament at 11 and are also here in a bid to develop a side for the future,” Sheikh said. “There is bound to be a lack of temperament if we don't get to play other teams. The pressures of international hockey are different and it will take time to regain our position,” said Sheikh, a star forward of the 1970s who was a member of the inaugural Champions Trophy winning team in 1978 and in whose name a new hockey stadium is being built in Rawalpindi. “If we play 25-30 matches, we'll be a different lot. You should appreciate that we are still playing a positive and aggressive game despite our limitations. We did not make any big claims when we departed and everyone back home understands our problems,” Sheikh said. Pakistan captain Muhammad Imran conceded it has been a disappointing tournament. “We understand what mistakes we are making but need to iron out all of them quickly if we have to compete at the top level,” Imran said. Pakistan has a long history of success in top level competitions having won three Olympic gold medals, four World Cups and three Champions Trophy titles. It has also won eight gold medals at the Asian Games, where it defeated India in the league stage at Incheon this year before losing the final to India on penalties. — AP
