ISLAMABAD - Pakistan hockey team captain M Imran demands protection from Punjab Police after he receives threats from anti-social elements to whom he had stopped from selling drugs and as responsible citizen reported the entire matter to police high-ups.
Imran during an exclusive interview with The Nation on Sunday said: “Some people living in my street on rental houses were involved in suspicious activities. I had time and again requested them not to spoil the future of the country youth but instead of paying heed to my requests they started brawl with me. I was left with no other option but to report the entire matter to the high-ups of law enforcing agencies. They were arrested but now they have granted bail, they are threatening me of dire consequences. I requested police and also draw the attention of my employers Pakistan Army about the entire situation. The police and my department is working on that, but I request to provide me security so I could focus on playing hockey as highly important Olympic qualifiers are just round the corner. I can't focus on my game with so much stress.”
26 playing years
Imran, 36, started playing hockey at the age of 10 and now had spent almost 26 years in hockey grounds.
“I started playing hockey at my father’s club called Polo Hockey Club and then I played at college level before being selected in the national junior team in 2002. I was selected in the senior team in 2004. I had played two Olympics, as many World Cups, 6 Champions Trophy, 3 Asian Games, a number of Asia Cup events and also played in two Commonwealth Games. I was named skipper of the national team in 2009 and I won the Asian Games gold in very next year in 2010.”
Imran who joined Pakistan Army in 1999 said during his days too much attention was paid on club level hockey and school/college were the nurseries of providing talent to national team but now-a-days the hockey is completely vanished as far as school and colleges are concerned. He said lack of opportunities, jobs and recognition were other major reasons behind youth had turned their backs on playing professional hockey.
Meager salaries and
lack of respect
“Departments either do not hire hockey players or offer such meager salaries that ii’s hard for one to meet both ends. I request departments, schools and colleges to start hockey so national team could find fresh talent or else the situation might be very worst in coming few years. Government must have to pay attention towards this issue of grave importance. When we return with trophies nobody bothers to say even few words of appreciation but when we didn't perform well, we had to face hell lot of criticism. This attitude must be changed. We demand equal respect as other sportsmen especially cricketers are enjoying. Without paying heed to such important areas, there is no chance of even thinking about ordinary results.”
He said playing in 4-nations event in Australia and then in Korea certainly helped boys a lot as the got much-needed international experience as prior to that they had only played against Asian teams with the only exception of Champions Trophy in India. He said he was highly surprised only handful of days left before the Olympic qualifiers in Belgium and they were still wondering when they would be able to leave for Belgium. “We had requested federation to ensure at least we could reach Belgium 10 days prior to the start of the event to acclimatize with the conditions but it seemed they would not be even able to play their practice matches against US on 10th of this month and against Ireland on 16 and 18th if situation remains the same.”
Clear our dues
Imran said coaches and especially head coach Shahnaz Sheikh had worked very hard on team’s fitness and made lot of improvements and past results were clear indication the team was on the right track. “I would request federation to ensure our daily allowances of Australian and Korean tours should be cleared before our departure as how long we had to play without getting any incentive. We are ready to play for the country in the worst circumstances but government should also at least pay some heed and clear at least Asian Games and Champions Trophy prize money as per government rules before the teams’ departure to Belgium. It would certainly boost players morale and they would play with more dedication.”
Imran rubbished the reports that they had complaints regarding their stay at the PSB Hostel and said they had demanded camp at PSB Islamabad just because of superb facilities and extra care being provide to us by Assistant director hostels Malik Imtiaz Hussain and they were very thankful to Malik Imtiaz and his staff for what they are doing for the national heroes.