CONSPIRACY! THE MAJOR REASON BEHIND HOCKEY DEFEATS OF PAKISTAN AND INDIA

CONSPIRACY! THE MAJOR REASON BEHIND HOCKEY DEFEATS OF PAKISTAN AND INDIA

               SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS OF CONSECUTIVE DEBACLES

PROF WAQAR HUSSAIN

             A few days ago, the prestigious Olympic hockey tournaments, of 22^nd Olympic Games London 2012 ended with tears in the eyes of Pakistanis and a golden feather in the crown of Germany for becoming the Olympic Champion. Pakistan stood at 7^th position, after a humiliating and its biggest Olympic defeat of 7-0 against Australia in a vital game that plugged its chances of winning any medal. The consecutive failures of Pakistan hockey have not only tarnished the country’s image but also mortified the feeling of the whole nation for whom hockey is the sole sport to make boasts of. In the past years of glory, Pakistan remained three times Olympic champion(1960,68,84); four times World Champion(1971,78,82,94); three times Champion Trophy holder(1978,80,94); eight times Asian Games winner(1958,62,70,74,78,82,90,2010)including four in a row; three time Asia Cup holder(1982,85,89) all in a row ; three times Sultan Azlan Shah Cup lifter(1999,2000,2003) and one time Junior World Cup champ(1979). Now Pakistan has no prominent title; Olympic, World Cup, Champion’s Trophy, etc. Pakistan is holding only the title of Asian Games at present.

           Now look at the record of India which won eight Olympic titles(1928,32,36,48,52,56,64,80) including six in a row; one World Cup(1975); two Asian Games(1966,98); two Asia Cups(2003,2007) ; five Sultan Azlan Shah Tournaments(1985,91,95,2009,2010) and one time Junior World Cup(2001). Now, India is holding none of the above titles. In London Olympics, India finished at the deplorable last position.

             What are the causes behind this dismal, depressing and dreary performance of Pakistan and India in Hockey? There are many vivid as well as hidden factors behind this chain of flops, failures and fiascoes. But we will discuss only the conspiracy hatched by the European against the two hockey Giants of Asia; Pakistan and India.

         The European conducted a morphological research of the players of hockey giants; Pakistan and India and concluded that they had no match with them on grass field (wet cellulose) as the Asian’s body structure perfectly matched with grass-field requirements. So they introduced an artificial field of Astroturf which suited to their body structure and climate. European has long, straight and fleshy legs so they have more stamina, speed and longer stride and have lesser contact with the ground as compared to Asian whose legs are short, bandy and boney but have greater bending ability. In the past, Asian took great advantage of their curved legs (bandy) and bending ability to control the ball and dribble it effectively. On the other hand, the Europeans cannot bend easily due to their longs, straight and stout legs but they can run fast as compared to the Asians. So they came out with the idea of artificial grass to counter Asian’s skill. Artificial grass sticks to boot due to mutual affiliation of polymers and magnetic attraction produced as a result of friction between the polymers of Astroturf and that of boots, thus running becomes a cumbersome job. The European experience lesser difficulty due to their longer stride thus having lesser contact with the ground while their sturdy legs overcome the struggle of running. Furthermore, there is difference in the running style of European and Asian players. European dashes straightly like a deer while Asian totters like a tortoise. So Astroturf suits to European in every respect.

                 Furthermore, there are layers of clay, Stone, foam, etc. on which Astroturf is being laid. It heats up quickly because its base and overlay material (antimicrobial protectors, rubber infill, backing system, nylon yarn fibre , plastic, etc.) has no water content as compared to grass which has 90 % water. So water is being sprayed to pacify its warmth and to enhance its water content. In European cold climate, persistent rains, dew, mist, fog, high humidity, mostly cloudy condition (if still needed then have a spray of cold water); it loses much of its heat and stickiness thus becomes suitable for play. Whereas in hot countries of Asia, it has much heat in spite of water spray so artificial polymer becomes soften and adhesive and running becomes a burdensome job. Here, the sole of shoes and the surface of Astroturf cling together like the hug of bosom friends, with no intention of separating apart. Again, Asians suffer more of its effects due to their Lilliputian physical structure and climatic conditions. In sum, artificial grass suits European Players due to their hulking physique and cold weather.

               The stratagem didn’t end here; the European has great say in International Hokey Rule Board than the Asian. As a result, they influenced to get imposed hockey rules which suited to their players. For example, setting aside the half side rule had the reason that European players were speedy and frequently became the victim of half side rule so they abolished it. The change of the penalty corner rule was due to fact; the European had lesser percentage of field goals as compared to the Asian. So they changed the rule and made penalty corner hit more effective. Previously, penalty corner hit, not hitting the board of goal, was declared foul but now players can hit and push the ball in the goal at their will and there is no compulsion to hit the goal board. As a result, the percentage of penalty corner goal increased and it benefitted the European. Then Astroturf increased the pace of the game considerably and the shape of hockey blade was modified to suit the new technique such as reverse stick trapping and hitting. The shorter blade is more suitable for stopping and hitting instead of dribbling which was once the hallmark of the Asian. Furthermore, these changes have taken the beauty out of the game, turning it into a virtual wrestling bout.

            The modern hockey is more compatible to the European’s body and climatic conditions and got further strength by the imposition of well-matched new rules. Thus, put the Asian giants in the doldrums.

           To see the impact of Astroturf and rules, have a glance of all 22 Olympics Games and 12 World Cups .Out of first fifteen Olympics played up to 1984, the giants won eleven(three by Pakistan and eight by India ).In the next seven Olympic Games played after 1984, all are won either by Europe or Australia. Similarly, out of first five World Cups played up to 1982, the giants won four (three by Pakistan and one by India).In the next seven World Cups, six are won by either Europe or Australia. The seventh was won by Pakistan, the only exception. The above statistics clearly show the difference created by the introduction of Astroturf and change in hockey rules made thereafter.

             To find whether above factors are right or wrong? Peruse the Wikipedia under the topic of Astroturf: “Prior to the introduction of this playing surface India and Pakistan dominated field hockey for decades. Apart from the major cities in these countries, this surface is unaffordable to the mass of player. The use of Astroturf  in conjugation with changes in the game’s rules(e.g. allowing body-blocks) have contributed significantly to the nature of the game, affected it’s artistry and allowed other nations-mostly Western-to now get to the top of the world rankings”.

          The above analysis is also endorsed by an Australian Scott who advised Pakistan: “Pakistanis seriously need to get a good diet and hit the gym before they will challenge. They need to put on muscle / weight as some members of your team do not have muscle mass. Even look at Ric Charlesworth’s comments after the match. He said; “playing against Germans will be more difficult as they are such a bigger and strong side”. It confirms that playing hockey on Astroturf needs busty body figure which Europeans have and Asians do not.

                  There are many causes of defeat; above mentioned is the major one. Now it is up to Pakistan and India to go for its solution. In history, we find two types of responses in crucial critical circumstances; one is called “Herodian Response” (to pay the European in same coin by adopting their style) and the other one is “Zealot Response” (to go back to purist Asian style). It is advisable to select “one” as the famous historian Toynbee has warned, don’t adopt the newer strategy, it is tantamount to swapping the horse… and there is a proverb: “Don’t swap the horse while in mid stream”. So, it is better to go far only Zealot response.

           So I will advise both Pakistan and India that if they want to regain their lost glory. They should raise hue and cry before FIH, after taking other Asian hockey playing countries on board, with a demand to conduct 50% tournaments on grass-field and 50% on artificial grass just like lawn Tennis in which two Grand Slam tournaments are played on clay court and two on grass court. South has rightly said: “Defeat should never be a source of discouragement, but rather a fresh stimulus”. Apart from stimulus, a better modus operandi is required as suggested by Wendell Phillips: “What is defeat? - Nothing but education, nothing but the first step to something better”.