Tags:
Journalism of Courage
UTRECHT, May 20: At 32, Shahbaz Ahmed has the World at his feet, but certainly not Pakistan hockey, which, much like its Indian counterpart, is replete with Machiavellian drama that saw the great inside-left in and out of the squad after having led his country to triumph four years ago at the Sydney World Cup.
"I am different. I know I have a lot of admirers and enjoy the status of being the best player in World hockey. But some people don’t seem to appreciate it. You know the story of how I made it to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics after announcing my retirement two years earlier after the Sydney World Cup. Now, too, it is much the same," said an usually reticent Shahbaz in an interview with The Indian Express, here on Tuesday afternoon.
In many ways, he went back on his words of not talking to the press. "A lot of things have been written about me. I don’t know how I spent an hour chatting with a journalist today," was his parting shot. But, during the 60-minute interview, Shahbaz bared his soul, as aplayer and as a human being, talking about his family and professional life.
"This World Cup is definitely going to be my last for Pakistan. No, I have no plans of being a coach or an administrator. I would like to concentrate on my job with the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) where I am the Deputy District Manager, based in Faisalabad. I don’t think I am cut out to be a president or the secretary of Pakistan hockey," he said with finality.
When reminded about the Sydney World Cup, where he was adjudged the best player of the tournament after Pakistan triumphed in the final, his eyes lit up. "Yes, that was one of my best performances. I suffered a muscle pull early in the tournament, but recovered quite dramatically," he said, without mentioning the fact that in the final, he played virtually on one leg and sprayed some brilliant passes.
"I am still as good as I was four years ago, minus the injury. I know that Shahbaz has to play well for Pakistan to win here. I wish, there were a couple of moreplayers like me in the team. After all, this is a team game, and I can do only so much. But let me tell you that I will be at my peak here," he predicted.
But then, team politics saw Shahbaz being used sparingly during the recent Indo-Pak series. Shahbaz is one of the highest paid among the current hockey players. A Bangladesh club reportedly paid him 10,000 US dollars for a 10-day stint in their domestic league. "I earned a lot of money playing in the Dutch league. My family used to join me and we went holidaying after the league, to England and America."
"My ambition in life was to become the best player in the World. Now that I have achieved my goal, I have to think of spending more time with my family. I have a handsome son (Haashir) and a daughter (Ayesha). So, I want to pass on to them the lessons that I have learnt in life," he said.
Shahbaz has had running battles with authorities and some of his team-mates. Following the Sydney World Cup, he was included in the team for the 1996 Olympics at the11th hour and his participation in Utrecht event also was in doubt. "But they know that Shahbaz makes a difference. I guess, that’s why I am still here."
He obviously wants to bow out in style. "God willing, we will win and I will be able to play like I know I can."
One hopes he does. Because world hockey, bereft of individual talent, needs Shahbaz, and not the other way round.
