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Hockey in the war-torn country of Afghanistan is poised to get a major leg-up. In what could be a ‘just what the doctor ordered’ scenario, the Afghanistan Hockey Federation (AHF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for setting up a proper structure in place so that the sport can flourish in the country.
Hockey is a big craze in the nation. The sport is considered as popular as cricket and football among the Afghan youths. It is believed that there are around 500-600 hockey players in Afghanistan.
The Afghan youth live their hockey passion by playing on grass as well as on concrete surfaces. The country is yet to lay an astroturf – efforts are undertaken to facilitate the same.
This is not the first time that Pakistan has offered their helping hand to Afghanistan. Even since the country was freed from the clutches of Taliban in 2011, Pakistan had extended assistance to Afghanistan cricket.
The seeds sown then soon bore fruits as Afghanistan was granted ODI status by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2009. The progress was very much apparent as Afghanistan went on to qualify for the T20 World Cups in 2010 and 2012.
The latest MoU between the Afghanistan Hockey Federation (AHF) and the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) would see the latter provide assistance in restructuring the sports in Afghanistan in line with contemporary hockey.
The PHF is the first country to offer support to the AHF.
It may be worth recalling that the Afghanistan men’s hockey team had participated thrice in the Olympics – 1936 Berlin, 1948 London and 1956 Melbourne.
At the 1936 Olympics, Afghanistan lost 1-4 to Germany and drew Denmark 6-6. Afghanistan fared better in the 1948 Olympics, beating USA 2-0, drawing Switzerland 1-1 before being handed a 0-8 drubbing by Great Britain.
Afghanistan again started their campaign in the 1956 Olympics on a bright note with a 5-1 rout of USA. They, however, lost 0-5 to Singapore and ended their engagements with a 0-14 walloping at the hands of India.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will offer assistance in setting up hockey academies across Afghanistan having state-of-the-art facilities.
Not just setting up academies, Pakistan would also help to groom the Afghan youngsters so that they grow through the ranks.
Pakistan, who are one of the world’s top hockey stick makers, would donate 100 hockey sticks and 100 balls to the AHF.
As per the MoU, three Afghan teams would visit Pakistan every year and all the expenses would be borne by the Pakistan Hockey Federation. Besides, Afghanistan national team and two junior teams would also undergo a two-week training stint in Pakistan every year.
