ISLAMABAD - Olympian Rehan Butt expresses satisfaction over green shirts performance in the first two matches of the Asian Games Hockey event but warns team must not relax as they are known for lack of consistency.
He said the way green shirts started the title defence against Sri Lanka was quite amazing. “It was quite heartening performance keeping in mind boys are completely out of touch for the last 1-year but in the very second match, Pakistani forwards were looking completely off colour. This attitude needs to change and that too very quickly as we can't afford to rest and relax.”
In an exclusive interview with The Nation on Monday, Rehan said Pakistan should have won against China by at least 6 or 7 goals. “We can't afford to take liberties from weaker opponents especially in the crunch match against archrivals India, who are aiming high and had loads of practice during the recent months. They had played number of high-profile events and I feel Indians are much better and balanced side then Pakistan. They have the advantage over green shirts but if boys played to their potential and take their chances, they could not only beat India but any given opponent.” He said Pakistan needed to go with a clear-cut game plan against India and should play with positive frame of mind.
Rehan said the ongoing infighting between POA has left not only hockey but all the sports in shabby shape. “It is quite unfortunate that none of the international teams or players are willing to come to play in Pakistan sighting security concerns and our athletes are denied with a chance to play in the international events. What is the purpose of preparing hard for years and years and after 4 years long and hard wait, an athlete is told he or she can't represent country due to dirty politics. Why should a player then keep on preparing and wait for another 4 years? it is my humble request to all the stake holders to shun their differences in the best interest of the sports in general and athletes in particular. We must sit together and carve out a comprehensive plan to take Pakistani sports to new heights.”
Rehan, who is currently working with Manzoor-ul-Hasan with the junior team said, Pakistan have some brilliant youngsters, who could one day represent country at the senior levels. He said he had had joined the federation with a cause tp pass on the vast knowledge and experience to the generation next.